Issue - meetings

Lease renewal - RNLI Sheringham

 

 

Meeting: 06/10/2025 - Cabinet (Item 58)

58 Lease renewal - RNLI Sheringham pdf icon PDF 257 KB

Lease renewal – RNLI Sheringham

Executive Summary

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) currently holds a 99-year ground lease at Sheringham Promenade, established in 1935 and set to expire in 2034. This lease enabled the construction of the lifeboat station and slipway, which have supported the RNLI’s critical lifesaving operations in North Norfolk.

 

Following a recent structural survey, safety concerns were raised regarding the condition of the lifeboat station, prompting a temporary closure earlier this year. In response, the RNLI has been actively exploring repair options and has formally requested an early renewal of the lease.

 

Their intention to invest in substantial building repairs and improvements, ensuring the long-term viability of their operations at Sheringham.

 

To support this, officers recommend granting the RNLI a new 25-year lease under terms broadly consistent with the existing agreement.

 

Options considered

 

Alternative options would be not to renew the lease, however this has been discounted as it would undermine the tenant’s ability to invest in essential building improvements, compromise the long-term operation and lifesaving services undertaken from the site.

Consultation(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires - Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services

Cllr Liz Withington – Local Member, Portfolio Holder for Community, Leisure & Outreach

Daniel King – Assistant Director for Finance and Assets Cara Jordan - Monitoring Officer

Recommendations

 

Resolution for Cabinet to approve:

 

·       A Lease renewal of a 25-year lease to the RNLI

·       Delegate approval to the Asset Strategy Manager to finalise and agree the exact terms of the above legal agreement

 

Reasons for recommendations

 

To enable the RNLI to repair the building and recommence lifesaving services from the lifeboat station.

 

Background papers

 

None.

 

 

Wards affected

Sheringham

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Renata Garfoot, Asset Strategy Manager.  Renata.Garfoot@North-Norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

Wards affected

Sheringham

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Renata Garfoot, Asset Strategy Manager.  Renata.Garfoot@North-Norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED TO

 

·         A Lease renewal of a 25-year lease to the RNLI

·         Delegate approval to the Asset Strategy Manager to finalise and agree the exact terms of the above legal agreement

 

Reason for the decision:

 

To enable the RNLI to repair the building and recommence lifesaving services from the lifeboat station

 

 

Minutes:

Cllr L Shires, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services, introduced this item. She explained that the RNLI currently had a 99-year ground lease at Sheringham Promenade, established in 1935 and set to expire in 2034. This lease enabled the construction of the lifeboat station and slipway, which had supported the RNLI’s critical lifesaving operations in North Norfolk. Following a recent structural survey, safety concerns were raised regarding the condition of the lifeboat station, prompting a temporary closure earlier this year. In response, the RNLI had been exploring repair options and had formally requested an early renewal of the lease.

 

The RNLI planned to invest in substantial building repairs and improvements, ensuring the long-term viability of their operations at Sheringham. To support this, it was proposed that the Council granted the RNLI a new 25-year lease under terms broadly consistent with the existing agreement.

 

Cllr L Withington, Local Member for Sheringham North, said that she welcomed the proposals and the whole community was supportive. The RNLI was an integral part of the town. The Chair agreed, adding that the Council had a long-standing operational relationship with the RNLI as an organisation.

 

Cllr A Fitch-Tillett said that at the moment the Sheringham lifeboat was being housed in Cromer and the Cromer boat was being serviced. She said that it was vital that there was a boat sited at Sheringham as there was a large gap to the West and it was a long way from Cromer to Wells.

 

It was proposed by Cllr L Shires, seconded by Cllr T Adams and

 

RESOLVED to

 

·       A Lease renewal of a 25-year lease to the RNLI

·       Delegate approval to the Asset Strategy Manager to finalise and agree the exact terms of the above legal agreement

 

Reason for the decision:

 

To enable the RNLI to repair the building and recommence lifesaving services from the lifeboat station