A SPORTS club in Annan will have the opportunity to grow and develop further after Dumfries and Galloway Council approved a land lease.
Members of Annan Petanque Club have been based at a site at Seaforth Gardens, however it was discovered that this is Common Good land and moves have since been made to get the correct agreement in place so that the club can use the land as a base for the longer term.
The matter was raised at Annan Common Good sub committee on Wednesday night where members were asked whether to set up a service level agreement or lease with the club.
There was also the option of a community asset transfer, which would mean that the club would take ownership of the land.
Speaking at the meeting, council officer Jaime Nicholson said: “Annan Petanque Club have not expressed an interest to go down the community asset transfer route.
“The agreement that we have in place with them was prior to the review of the Common Good, so it’s a unique position that we’re in.
“However, in keeping with the rest of the assets that we have community use on, there are leases in place.
“I know our colleagues in estates would prefer a lease agreement of some sort, whether that be long or short, the terms and conditions can be attached or discussed and brought back to a future meeting.”
Petanque is a French outdoor game, which is similar to bowls, and the Annan club was set up by a group of local residents during the pandemic.
Annandale South Councillor Ian Carruthers favoured setting up a lease agreement with the club, saying: “Ultimately, we’ll have to get back from the organisation themselves. We haven’t had any comment from them.
“Rather than transfer of ownership, I would definitely have preferred a lease or service level agreement of some kind.”
Alan Kay, a community representative on the committee, added: “I would have thought that a lease would probably be the best bet because a long term lease will mean that they can apply for grants and such like.”
The committee agreed to start the process of setting up a lease agreement with Annan Petanque Club. The council’s estate department will arrange discussions with the club about the details of the lease.
