Councillor Janet Crowe
Email: janet.crowe@waverley.gov.uk
Council: Waverley
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Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
76 meetings · Page 1 of 16
Budget Meeting, Executive - Tuesday, 10th February, 2026 7.00 pm
Landlord Services Advisory Board (Executive Working Group) - Thursday, 29th January, 2026 10.00 am
Executive - Tuesday, 13th January, 2026 7.00 pm
Guildford & Waverley Joint Executive Committee - Tuesday, 13th January, 2026 8.00 pm
Decisions from Meetings
134 decisions · Page 3 of 27
Sale of Painting to Support Heritage Asset
From: Executive - Tuesday, 9th December, 2025 7.00 pm - December 09, 2025
1. The purpose of the report is for the Executive to consider selling a painting by the artist Walter Langley entitled ‘The Cornish Fisher Folk’. The artwork is an asset belonging to Waverley Borough Council which has been on loan to Penlee House and Gallery in Cornwall since 2010. 2. The matter was previously discussed by the Executive in July 2025 where it was agreed that the Arts Officer should write to Penlee House and Gallery offering them the opportunity to purchase the painting at a price no lower than £65,000. The Executive supported this approach because they felt the painting would continue to deliver a public benefit in an appropriate setting, which could not be guaranteed if the painting was sold at auction. 3. The Arts Officer wrote to Penlee on 4 August 2025 offering a private treaty sale. The alternative option was stated as being the termination of the annual loan agreement and the withdrawal of the painting so it could proceed to auction in March 2026. 4. Penlee Gallery responded immediately to confirm their interest in buying the painting but explained that they would need to fundraise as they did not hold the requisite funds within their budgets. They are currently in the process of applying to the V&A Fund and the Art Fund and expect decisions early December 2025. They have also launched a public fundraising campaign to raise the outstanding amount. 5. It was reported at Executive Briefing in July that the painting had been recently revalued by Bonhams Auctioneers who recommended an estimate of £60,000 - £100,000 as being a price the art market would respond positively too. Bonhams can offer an ‘all in’ commission rate of 4% of the sale price plus VAT . Given the option of selling to Penlee for £65,000 and the recommended estimate form Bonhams, it is recommended that the reserve is set to £70,000 at auction. A sale of £70,000 less the 4% commission would generate a receipt of £67,200. 6. At the July meeting the Executive expressed concerned about the ethics of the sale and requested assurance from Arts Council England that no negative repercussions would arise if a sale went ahead. The Arts Officer received written confirmation from the Director of Museums and Cultural Property, which clearly stated that selling the painting presented a minimum risk as it is not accessioned to a museum collection. Therefore, a sale would not affect current funding arrangements, the ability to apply for funding in the future or the Accreditation of any of the museums in the borough. 7. The option to sell the painting to Penlee Gallery would likely constitute a disposal at less than best consideration, based on sale estimate received from Bonhams (as set out in paragraph 1.5) and the most recent insurance valuation. “Best consideration reasonably obtainable” refers to the best price, or equivalent economic value, that the Council could reasonably achieve at the time of disposal, taking into account the asset’s market value and any reasonable conditions of sale. It does not necessarily mean the highest speculative offer, but rather the amount that a prudent and well-advised seller would expect to achieve in an open market transaction. 8. While the proposed sale to Penlee Gallery is likely to be below best consideration, there are compelling social, cultural and reputational benefits that justify this approach. The painting is already held by Penlee Gallery on loan and is publicly accessible as part of its permanent exhibition programme. A formal transfer of ownership would ensure the artwork’s continued professional conservation, curation, and long-term display, securing its preservation for future generations. On this basis, the proposed sale is considered reasonable and justified in the circumstances. 9. If the painting is purchased by Penlee Gallery for a sum of £65,000, it is recommended that the full amount of income derived from the sale is designated to support the cost of the repair work to the Museum of Farnham. If, however, the decision is taken to sell the painting at auction the financial return will not be known until March 2026. In this instance, it is proposed that up to £100,000 of the income is ringfenced for the Museum of Farnham and that any surplus above this amount is shared with other arts organisations in the Borough including Cranleigh Arts Centre, Haslemere Hall, Godalming Museum, the Borough Hall and Haslemere Museum. In this eventuality, the Arts Officer will consult the Executive on the development of a simple funding criteria and application process for allocating the surplus funding. 10. Furthermore, if the painting is sold to Penlee it is proposed that the sale contract includes a ‘sell-on-clause’. This would entitle Waverley to a pre-agreed percentage of the proceeds of a subsequent sale should the painting be sold to a third party. The purpose of this clause is to protect the Council’s interests if the asset’s value appreciates significantly after the initial sale for a specified period.
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Community Asset Transfer application – War Memorial Recreation Ground, Haslemere
From: Executive - Tuesday, 9th December, 2025 7.00 pm - December 09, 2025
1. The Community Asset Transfer Policy (CAT) was adopted by the Council on 11th June 2024 to ensure a transparent and consistent approach to requests for Community Asset Transfer. A copy of the policy is attached at Appendix 2. The policy ensures a transparent and consistent approach when the Council considers expressions of interest for a Community Asset Transfer to a Voluntary or Community Organisation (VCO). The Council is guided by this policy when considering expressions of interest for a transfer of a community asset owned, or under the stewardship of the Council, to a suitable Voluntary or Community Organisation (VCO). 2. Haslemere Town Council (HTC) have requested the transfer of the War Memorial Recreation Ground, Haslemere, under the terms of the CAT Policy. 3. This report sets out the details of the requested transfer and the potential issues raised by the proposed transfer.
Recommendations Approved
Community Asset Transfer Application – Lammas Lands adj Bridge Gate House, Bridge Road, Godalming
From: Executive - Tuesday, 9th December, 2025 7.00 pm - December 09, 2025
1. The Community Asset Transfer Policy (CAT) was adopted by the Council on 11th June 2024 to ensure a transparent and consistent approach to requests for Community Asset Transfer. The Council is guided by this policy when considering expressions of interest for a transfer of a community asset owned, or under the stewardship of the Council, to a suitable Voluntary or Community Organisation (VCO). 2. Godalming Town Council (GTC) have requested the transfer of part of the Lammas Lands, adjacent to Bridge Gate House, Bridge Road, Godalming, under the terms of the CAT Policy. 3. This report sets out the details of the requested transfer, the potential issues raised by the proposed transfer, and the Council’s recommendations for the requested transfer.
Recommendations Approved
Procurement Pipeline Report - over £200k (2025-2026)
From: Executive - Tuesday, 9th December, 2025 7.00 pm - December 09, 2025
1. The Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) provides that Executive must give permission to commence any procurement activity which could result in the contract award being a Key Decision as the estimated value is greater than £200k or it significantly impacts two or more wards. 2. This report provides an update of the procurement pipeline which was presented to Executive on 04 November 2025. The pipeline set out in Appendix 1 includes additional projects which are likely to result in Key Decisions and seeks Executive agreement for procurements to commence.
Recommendations Approved
Community Asset Transfer application – The Canon Bowring Recreation Ground, Lower Manor Road, Farncombe, Godalming
From: Executive - Tuesday, 9th December, 2025 7.00 pm - December 09, 2025
1. The Community Asset Transfer Policy (CAT) was adopted by the Council on 11th June 2024 to ensure a transparent and consistent approach to requests for Community Asset Transfer. The Council is guided by this policy when considering expressions of interest for a transfer of a community asset owned, or under the stewardship of the Council, to a suitable Voluntary or Community Organisation (VCO). 2. Godalming Town Council (GTC) has requested the transfer of the Canon Bowring Recreation Ground, Lower Manor Road, Farncombe, under the terms of the CAT Policy. 3. This report sets out the details of the requested transfer and the potential issues raised by the proposed transfer
For Determination
Summary
Meetings Attended: 76
Average per Month: 3.5
Decisions Recorded: 134