Decision - Beach Hut Licence and Transfer Fee

RESOLVED: That Committee: 1. Agreed the termination of existing beach hut licences in accordance with their terms and implementation of the proposed new licence (see Appendix 1) to all beach hut owners, including the addition of the transfer fee. 2. Agreed new licence terms which will come into effect from 1 April 2024 as follows: a) a new transfer fee (details in paragraphs 3.9 to 3.11 of this report ); b) updated termination provisions to limit the "no fault" grounds on which the council can terminate licences in the future (paragraph 3.12 of this report ); c) provisions to allow for more effective and efficient communication with beach hut owners (paragraph 3.13 of this report). 3. Agreed that owners of any beach huts remaining on council land after 1 April 2024 without a new licence agreement in place be required to remove the beach hut and that officers may take enforcement action if necessary to ensure that any unlicenced areas are vacated.

The document summarises comments from beach hut owners and association members about proposed changes to the beach hut licence and transfer fee. Respondents raised concerns about the proposed charges, the fairness and legality of the licence terms, consultation arrangements, compensation for redevelopment, and the affordability of continued hut ownership.