Council allows nursery deal to continue (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Council allows nursery deal to continue

SHIPSTON Town Council has agreed to maintain the status quo at the town's Mayo Road playing field, despite claims that it is in breach of the original deed of gift.

Councillors agreed at a packed meeting at the Townsend Hall, which was attended by more than 70 members of the public on Monday, that they would support the continuation of the current arrangement whereby the town's rugby club sub-lets its old clubhouse to the privately-run Greenfields nursery.

But Cllr Bob White, who abstained from Monday's decision, said afterwards that he would be waiting to gauge public response to the move before deciding his next course of action.

Cllr White has long argued that the land, which was bequeathed to the town by former Shipston resident Stella Symons in 1972, is for recreational purposes only and that the rugby club's decision to sub-let to a commercial venture was in breach of that agreement.

He said that the town council had been told by its former solicitors Lodders that the arrangement was contrary to the Mrs Symons' deed of gift.

"They have completely ignored the advice of their own solicitors," he added.

Town clerk David Addley said: "In any legal situation there are possibly ways to sort it out. We don't think we have the power to kick them out."

Mr Addley said there was no threat to the nursery. "We're going to agree an additional clause or letter to the rugby club's lease. The nursery is a terrific benefit to the town."

He said the council did not want a commercial benefit established on the site so, if the nursery moved, the old clubhouse would not be able to be used commercially.

The council is to inform the Charity Commissioners of its decision.