Talks to transfer the management of Dereham's Neatherd Moor are set to break down due to a dispute over dog bins. 

The beauty spot is currently overseen by Breckland Council, which wants to hand over control to the town council. 

Earlier this year the town council suggested a new term in the deal to find a breakthrough in the discussions which have been ongoing since October 2021, over which of the councils would be responsible for emptying the dog bins, which led to the deal being put on hold.

Dereham Town Council suggested Breckland takes off £5,000 from its £125,000 proposal but retains responsibility for emptying the bins.

Minutes from the town council’s heritage and open spaces committee state that this was refused and Breckland insisted that emptying the dog bins must be handed over as part of the deal.

The notes added: “The town council was given the choice of a lump sum or an amount each year for 10 years. As it turns out the lump sum is not now on offer."

Dereham Times: Neatherd Moor, DerehamNeatherd Moor, Dereham (Image: Ian Burt)

The committee agenda notes add: “Obviously with inflation, this means the value of the sum reduces over time, so the actual value of the offer at today's value might only be around £85,000, not £125,000.”

The recommendation from the committee to the full town council is to decline the deal, with a spokesperson for Dereham Town Council adding: “We do not want it, the money is not significant enough to cover the risk, so we are recommending that the council turns the offer down, as it does not represent a good deal for Dereham taxpayers.”

Dereham Times: Dereham Town Council and Breckland have been trying to find a deal that would see the full management of the moor transfer Dereham Town Council and Breckland have been trying to find a deal that would see the full management of the moor transfer (Image: Archant © 2013)

A Breckland Council spokesperson commented: “At Breckland Council, we are proud of our strong partnership approach and our track record of working collaboratively and constructively with organisations across the district to deliver for our communities.  

"We remain committed to working with Dereham Town Council, as a key partner, on how we can together improve local spaces for residents.”

The committee’s recommendation will now be discussed at the next full town council meeting, on December 12.