Greenbelt Charges

R Amos made this Freedom of Information request to Falkirk Council

The request was successful.

From: R Amos

19 April 2010

Dear Falkirk Council,

I live within the Lionthorn Estate developed by Barrat Homes circa
10 years ago. Each year I am issued with an annual management
charge from Greenbelt Group Ltd of circa £100, along with everyone
else in the development. This is to cover the costs of maintaining
grass, shrubberies and childrens play ground equipment within the
area. As well as this each resident also pays their Council Tax
rates, however I am sure that these rates do not discount for the
work undertaken by Greenbelt Group. It seems as though we are being
charged twice for the same service. Could you confirm what works
the Council undertakes in this area or does not undertake in this
area due to the use of Greenbelt Group and how this is reflected in
our Council Tax annual rates.

Yours faithfully,

Miss R Amos

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From: Finance Services
Falkirk Council

14 May 2010

Dear Ms Amos

I refer to your enquiry of 19 April. At the time your estate was
developed all developers had the option of making a one-off payment
to the Council equivalent to ten times the annual grounds
maintenance cost. In return for this payment the Council would
carry out annual maintenance in perpetuity but would not take title
to the land. To avoid having to incur such expenditure, developers
may elect to provide in the title deeds for the appointment of a
factor and this is the route followed by Barratt Homes hence the
annual charge to which you refer.

The Council does maintain certain soft landscaped areas within the
Lionthorn estate but that is because the developer of that area did
elect to pay the Council as described above.

The annual maintenance charge is a responsibility of ownership and
not something that is already within your council tax.

I hope this information is helpful.

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From: R Amos

11 June 2010

Dear Finance Services,

THIS IS THE MOST UNUSER FRIENDLY SITE I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.

Could you please confirm the areas which are maintained by the
Council in the Lionthorn Estate, by way of a layout plan.

Also, could you confirm the annual cost to maintain the small
landscaped play area and park to the north of Keppock Place. We are
currently being charged just under £10,000 per annum for this,
which I understand from Clacks Council would probably normally only
cost under £3,000 to maintain.

Yours sincerely,

R Amos

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From: cunningham, colin
Falkirk Council

16 June 2010

Attachment lionthorn1.pdf
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Attachment lionthorn2.pdf
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Attachment PRIVATEH.DOC.doc
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Attachment 2092962 Miss R Amos.TIF.tif
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Dear Miss Amos

I refer to your recent enquiry regarding the above and enclose the
following:

1. Formal response to your complaint
2. Plan of Lionthorn Estate showing areas maintained by the Council (in 2
parts)
3. Conditions relating to the Council undertaking grounds maintenance on
behalf of third parties

Colin F. Cunningham

Estates Manager

Corporate & Neighbourhood Services

Earls Road

Grangemouth FK3 8XB

TEL-011324 501137

FAX-01324 504613

show quoted sections

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