Agenda item

Council notes that:-

?     Public houses are often among the last remaining community facilities in rural settlements, playing a vital role in reducing social isolation, supporting local employment, encouraging tourism and strengthening community cohesion.

?     The loss of a public house can have a significant adverse impact on the social and economic wellbeing of towns and villages across South Kesteven.

?     South Kesteven has experienced a number of pub closures in recent years, with some sites subsequently proposed for residential development.

?     Once a pub is lost, it is often impossible to replace – particularly in villages, where it may be the last remaining meeting place.

?     Recent losses and closures affecting our communities include the Houblon Arms, Oasby (within my Ward); the Cross Swords, Skillington; the Springfield Arms, Grantham (closed prior to 2024); and the Wheatsheaf Inn, Dry Doddington (closed February 2023).

?     Since April 2017, public houses have lost their previous permitted development rights: a change of use away from a pub, or its demolition, now requires a full planning application, giving councils and communities a formal opportunity to object. National planning policy and the Localism Act 2011 (via Assets of Community Value) provide further mechanisms to help protect valued community pubs.

Council believes that:-

?     Public houses which serve as valued community facilities should be retained wherever possible.

Council therefore resolves to:-

?     Reaffirm its support for the retention and protection of valued public houses and other community facilities throughout South Kesteven.

?     Request  that the Executive considers commissioning Officers to develop and make available guidance for Parish and Town Councils on the options available to help safeguard valued public houses – including planning policy protections, nomination of Assets of Community Value, community ownership opportunities, and relevant grant funding – to support our communities in their fight to save our great British pubs.

?     Request that the Rural & Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee consider the matter as part of its work programme and receive a report on progress within three months.

Councillor Sarah Trotter proposed the following motion:

Council notes that:-

·         Public houses are often among the last remaining community facilities in rural settlements, playing a vital role in reducing social isolation, supporting local employment, encouraging tourism and strengthening community cohesion.

·         The loss of a public house can have a significant adverse impact on the social and economic wellbeing of towns and villages across South Kesteven.

·         South Kesteven has experienced a number of pub closures in recent years, with some sites subsequently proposed for residential development.

·         Once a pub is lost, it is often impossible to replace – particularly in villages, where it may be the last remaining meeting place.

·         Recent losses and closures affecting our communities include the Houblon Arms, Oasby (within my Ward); the Cross Swords, Skillington; the Springfield Arms, Grantham (closed prior to 2024); and the Wheatsheaf Inn, Dry Doddington (closed February 2023).

·         Since April 2017, public houses have lost their previous permitted development rights: a change of use away from a pub, or its demolition, now requires a full planning application, giving councils and communities a formal opportunity to object. National planning policy and the Localism Act 2011 (via Assets of Community Value) provide further mechanisms to help protect valued community pubs.

Council believes that:-

·         Public houses which serve as valued community facilities should be retained wherever possible.

Council therefore resolves to:-

·         Reaffirm its support for the retention and protection of valued public houses and other community facilities throughout South Kesteven.

·         Request that the Executive considers commissioning Officers to develop and make available guidance for Parish and Town Councils on the options available to help safeguard valued public houses – including planning policy protections, nomination of Assets of Community Value, community ownership opportunities, and relevant grant funding – to support our communities in their fight to save our great British pubs.

·         Request that the Rural & Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee consider the matter as part of its work programme and receive a report on progress within three months.

Councillor Ben Green declared a personal non-pecuniary interest in the motion as a member of Skillington Parish Council working group who were seeking to get an Asset of Community Value notice for Cross Swords Public House in Skillington.

Councillor Ben Green submitted an amendment to insert the following bullet point after ‘Council notes that’:

·         “Between 2010 and 2024, the pub industry experienced a steep and sustained decline under successive Conservative Governments, with thousands of pubs and bars lost across Britain; and this decline has accelerated since 2024 as increases in employers’ National Insurance, statutory employment costs and business-rates burdens under the Labour Government have placed further pressure upon already vulnerable pubs.”

An alteration to the amendment was proposed and seconded as follows:

·         “Between 2010 and 2024, the pub industry experienced a steep and sustained decline with thousands of pubs and bars lost across Britain; and this decline has accelerated since 2024 as increases in employers’ National Insurance, statutory employment costs and business-rates burdens have placed further pressure upon already vulnerable pubs.”

Upon a vote on the amended motion, the motion FELL. Members debated the substantive motion.

Councillor Rob Shorrock submitted an amendment to insert the following bullet to add to ‘this Council resolves to’:

“To explore working with, amongst others, Pub is The Hub to promote co-operative based pubs in local communities”.

Having been agreed by the proposer of the motion, the additional wording above was AGREED and became part of the substantive motion.

Having been proposed by the Chairman and seconded, the following procedural motion was CARRIED:

That the meeting continues beyond three hours in duration for a further 10 additional minutes.

Members debated the substantive motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was CARRIED.