Sefton Council say contract not fulfilled as community group are evicted from Hesketh Park

Sefton Council has said that contract terms were unfulfilled leading to a decision to evict a community group from a community space in Hesketh Park.

Wendy Burns of Oakbridge Support Services said: “We have been running this site at Hesketh park for the last 12 years, we turned 3 derelict garages into a restroom with kitchen, installed a septic tank so we could install toilets, covered all poly tunnels and made community growing spaces all at our own expense!!

“Sefton Council have now decided not to renew our lease but have now given it to someone else! I am beyond furious!”

But Sefton Council said there had been breaches in the terms of the lease.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “A lease agreement between the local authority and Oakbridge Support Services involving land at Hesketh Park expired a number of years ago.

“Following its expiration Sefton Council’s Green Sefton team generously entered a casual tenancy-at-will agreement with the service.

“This involved the understanding that Oakbridge would carry out a number of roles while having access to an enclosed area of Hesketh Park.

“Unfortunately these roles and obligations were not fulfilled to the terms of the agreement.

“In 2019 Sefton Council undertook a review of all land in its open spaces portfolio, in relation to any areas that were vacant, underutilised or where there is casual use made by individuals or organisations.

“Two areas of land at Hesketh Park were market tested, including the site previously leased by Oakbridge. This exercise sought expressions of interest from bidders with proposals to manage these areas.

“Our Green Sefton staff diligently made Oakbridge aware of the opportunity to submit an expression of interest via the proper procurement channels.

“We received a brief and undetailed informal correspondence from Oakbridge via email, however despite further encouragement to submit a formal expression of interest, no such proposal was forthcoming.

“Sefton Council are now considering a number of options for the future use and development of the site.

“As a result we asked Oakbridge to vacate the land, ensuring they have more than adequate time to do so, having first served notice in August.

“This notice period is due to expire on January 31, 2021.

“Offers were also made to assist Oakbridge in finding other potentially suitable locations but at the time of writing have declined all offers of support.”