Dereham Town Council new proposal for moor managment

Breckland Council and Dereham Town Council have been trying to strike a deal which will see the full responsibility of the Neatherd Moor in Dereham transfer to the latter since October 2021.

Although the town had agreed to take control of the management of the site, a question over which of the councils would be responsible for emptying the dog and rubbish bins led to the deal being put on hold.

Dereham Town Council's Heritage and Open Spaces Committee has suggested a new proposal which could find a way to put an end to the saga of the management of Neatherd Moor in the town (Image: Archant)

Now, a proposal from the town council committee will suggest it will ask for £5,000 less than the offer from Breckland to pay £120,000 for taking on the moor's management.

Under this proposal, the district council will retain responsibility for emptying the bins at the beauty spot.

In documents from Dereham’s Heritage and Open Spaces Committee meeting, it states: “Given the risks to the town council if it were to take over the emptying of the bins, a reduction of £5k in the commuted sum, feels like a good deal for the town council.

Japanese Knotweed

“As this reduction in the commuted sum would be cost neutral for Breckland Council and seems a pragmatic way through the impasse.”

The document adds a discovery of Japanese Knotweed has been found and that the Town Council understands Breckland has taken responsibility for its eradication, adding: “While the infestation appears small and weak, it can take several years of treatment with a specialist contractor to eradicate.

“The cost of this work is likely to be between £3-6k and could be well above this figure. It is not expected that Breckland Council would continue to take responsibility for the Knotweed after the responsibilities have been transferred."

The committee will take the final proposal to full council on July 11, where if agreed, will present it as a formal offer to Breckland.