Agenda item

(Asset Management & Economic Development Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (C-045-2014/15).

(1)        That Officers be authorised to enter into a negotiated agreement with The North Weald Flying Group to allow them to commence Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) training for fixed wing aircraft at North Weald Airfield;

(2)        That the moratorium on the maximum term of the lease at the Airfield, which presently stands at four years, be ended for this lease only; and

(3)        That the use of other airfields at Andrewsfield and Duxford for the PPL training by the North Weald Flying Group be noted.

The Portfolio Holder for Asset Management & Economic Development presented a report on the introduction of Private Pilot’s Licence training for fixed wing aircraft at North Weald Airfield.

The Portfolio Holder reported that, until April 2010, the ability to learn to fly in a fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft was not possible from North Weald Airfield. This was due to an Air Navigation Order (ANO) which stated that training for a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) could only be undertaken at a licensed airfield. This Order had now been amended to allow such activity and North Weald Flying Group had requested permission to undertake such training from the Airfield.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the Airfield Management Team had completed a risk assessment for the introduction of Private Pilot’s Licence training at the Airfield and the findings were that the current resources at the Airfield (e.g. staffing levels and fire cover) were sufficient. Therefore, the Airfield could fulfil its legal obligation to provide adequate facilities for the safe conduct of the Training.

The Portfolio Holder advised the Cabinet that the major concern was the effect the training would have on the local community, as the air movements would increase with a potential increase in nuisance complaints from local residents. However, the Chief Flying Instructor had provided a degree of reassurance by stating that only 25% of the training involved circuit flying above the airfield, and that other nearby airfields at Andrewsfield and Duxford would also be used to mitigate concerns. Consequently, the Portfolio Holder proposed an additional recommendation to note the use of these other two airfields by North Weald Flying Group in their provision of training.

The Portfolio Holder reported that there was no intention to permit any type of Commercial Pilot’s Training, and that the training for Private Pilot’s Licences would not involve any night flying. It was anticipated that the income from this contract would exceed £5,000 per annum.

A local ward Member for North Weald Bassett accepted the need to raise income for the Council and encourage businesses to locate at the Airfield. However, the local Member was encouraged to see the proposed financial penalty clauses and potential review of the lease should the provider exceed the agreed number of movements per year.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the aircraft proposed to be used by the Group would be fixed wing Cessna aircraft, which were relatively quiet, and the number of aircraft movements would be recorded by the staff in the Control Tower at the Airfield. The Director of Governance added that the Officers would negotiate the best possible agreement for the Council, and the Council would obtain better value if it could offer more certainty, particularly in terms of the length of the lease.

Decision:

(1)        That Officers be authorised to enter into a negotiated agreement with The North Weald Flying Group to allow them to commence Private Pilot’s Licence  training for fixed wing aircraft at North Weald Airfield;

(2)        That the moratorium on the maximum term of the lease at the Airfield, which presently stands at four years, be ended for this lease only; and

(3)        That the use of other airfields at Andrewsfield and Duxford for the Private Pilot’s Licence training by the North Weald Flying Group be noted.

Reasons for Decision:

To increase the income from the Airfield.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

To not allow the introduction of fixed wing Private Pilot’s Licence training.

To allow Private Pilot’s Licence training but with the restriction of a four-year lease.