Council sticks to its guns over recycling rent (From Cotswold Journal)

Council sticks to its guns over recycling rent

10:00am Friday 19th October 2012 in News By Freya Leng

CHIPPING Norton Town Council is standing its ground over land it owns at a proposed new recycling site, after being offered only a “peppercorn rent” for its use.

West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) plans to develop the site at Greystones into a recycling centre, following the closure of Dean Pit in September last year.

However, a strip of access land to the new site belonging to the town council – which WODC needs to widen to improve access – is causing controversy.

The town council has requested £13,500 per year from WODC to rent the land for 10 years, if permission to develop the site is granted, but WODC’s offer is well below that figure.

“We have said no,” said Deputy Mayor Mike Tysoe.

“We’re sticking to £13,500 a year. We’ve given them our offer but we’ve not had a firm counter proposal.

“We’re in the process of negotiation. We have a responsibility for the people in Chipping Norton so they have facilities to recycle. We will continue our battle.

“We’ve told them to put their money where their mouth is. We’re not stonewalling, they are being extremely slow.”

Other councillors were outraged.

“If the strip of land was owned by a private company they wouldn’t dare offer a peppercorn rent,” said Councillor David Heyes.

“I don’t see why we are any different.”

“We’re sticking to our guns,” added Coun Alan Corfield.

“We’ve an obligation to the town’s people to get income from it and to retain the use of the land for recycling.”

David Neudegg, chief executive of WODC, said: “Last week we had a positive meeting with representatives of the town council. The district council will be shortly putting forward a proposal with the town council for their further consideration.