Purpose

As part of the Council’s contribution to
commemorating Mayflower 400, an agreement to rent the house of the
Mayflower Captain (Christopher Jones) was agreed with the owner.
This was originally due to last until the end of 2020, but due to
the global pandemic was extended until the end of 2022. In January
2024, the Harwich Society contacted the Council and requested that
the agreement be extended to 31st October 2024.
Further decisions published on 24th October 2024, 13th November
2024, 23th December 2024, 28th January 2025, 26th February 2025,
25th March 2025 28th April 2025, 27th May 2025, 26th June 2025,
28th July 2025, and 23rd September 2025, 22nd October 2025, 25th
November 2025, 22nd December 2025 enabling funding to 31st January
2026.
The current tenants will be taking over the lease of the house from
1st March 2026 and have agreed to pay the rent to Tendring District
Council for the period 1st January 2025 – 1st March 2026. Due
to a delay in governance around the agreement, Tendring District
Council has agreed to additionally pay 1st February 2026 –
28th February 2026 with the current tenants repaying the amount
when the agreement has been confirmed.
The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Tourism and Regeneration
has been consulted about this decision and a copy of the email has
been held on file.
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Extension to
Lease to 31st May 2024
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Extension to
Lease to 30th November 2024
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Extension to
Lease to 28th February 2025
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Extension to
Lease to 31st March 2025
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Extension to
Lease to 30th April 2025
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Extension to
Lease to 31st May 2025
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Extension to
Lease to 30th June 2025
Decision - Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones -
Extension to Lease to 31st July 2025
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Extension to
Lease to 31st August 2025
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Extension to
Lease to 31st October 2025
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Extension to
Lease to 30th November 2025
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Extension to
Lease to 31st December 2025 JB
Decision - The House of Captain Christopher Jones - Funding of
Lease

Content

To fund the lease of the House of Captain
Christopher Jones from 1st February 2026 - 28th February 2026 from
various tourism underspends with the agreement that the Harwich
Society will refund this amount once the required agreements have
been arranged.

Alternative options considered

This is a time limited arrangement, it has
been agreed that the Harwich Society will reimburse Tendring
District Council for the total cost covered from 1st January 2025.
Officers are working with colleagues to finalise the governance and
legal requirements.