ANGUS COUNCIL has held back on taking a 30% cut from car boot sales held in the county.
The authority’s corporate services committee met in Forfar and agreed to defer a report which recommended that the council take almost a third of the profits from car boot sales held on council land.
The proposals came from council officers in a report from the director of corporate services Colin McMahon.
The plans for charging stated: “The head of property has previously received requests from tenants, particularly football teams, to carry out regular boot sales as a means of raising funds to assist in the operation of the team.
“The corporate services committee at its meeting of September 1, 2011 (report no. 579/11) approved the lease renewal of Victoria Park in Arbroath and the carrying out of regular car boot sales subject to the council receiving 30% of the net profits, following negotiated agreement.
“It is proposed that all future car boot sales or similar events of a commercial or regular nature on council properties be charged a rent based on 30% of net profit rather than a fixed fee. This will take account of the possibility of some events being cancelled due to inclement weather.
“In the event of more than one applicant for a site, Angus Council will normally give preference to the applicant anticipated to generate the most income for the council, as determined by the head of property.”
The report added that there will not be a requirement for a lease to be established for one-off charitable fundraising events.
However, charitable car boot sales, or similar events held on a regular basis, as well as commercial car boot sales or similar events held on a singular or regular basis will be subject to the charges.
Councillor Donald Morrison spoke out against the plans at the meeting, saying it would be unfair to charge 30p in every pound “for doing nothing”.
He told convener Alex King: “I have problems with agreeing to this. While looking at maximising income, this should not be to the detriment of local community organisations trying to fundraise and stay afloat.
“We all remember what happened when a 30% rate was charged to Arbroath Sports Club for holding car boot sales. They folded after 50 years in existence and the ground at Cliffburn lies empty, getting no rental income.
“However, searching report 579/11, I can find no reference to any lease renewal of Victoria Park in Arbroath so this report is misinforming elected members.
“I am also puzzled by the statement which says ‘30% of the net profit following negotiated agreement.’ What is being negotiated here? Forcing a 30% share is not negotiating it is dictating.
“Thirty per cent is nearly a third 30p in every pound is a high price for doing nothing.
“Surely if this is the only way to go for the council, a better solution would be for the two parties to negotiate a percentage of up to 30%.
“These organisations are not carrying out car boot sales on a commercial basis. These are for fundraising. So every case should be dealt with on an individual basis.
“Again I am deeply concerned that the head of property will determine in the event of two groups wishing to use the same site, whoever is likely to make more money will get the pitch.
“Is this how we wish to portray this council as unconcerned for the cause as long as loads of cash comes in? Well my conscience cannot agree to that.”
Mr Morrison moved that the report be deferred and his motion was seconded by Councillor Rob Murray, who had previously spoken out on the subject.