Published: Tuesday, 1st September 2026
Sevenoaks District Council has noted Sevenoaks Town Council's latest position on the future ownership of The Stag.
The agenda for Sevenoaks Town Council's Finance & Delivery Committee this evening (1 September 2026) confirms the Town Council is no longer pursuing its previously stated intention to challenge the District Council's Cabinet decision through Judicial Review proceedings.
The agenda also includes a recommendation to purchase the freehold of the Stag for £650,000, the independently assessed Existing Use Value of the asset put forward by Sevenoaks District Council.
On 16 June 2026, Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet considered Sevenoaks Town Council's Community Asset Transfer application following a comprehensive assessment process.
Cabinet's decision was informed by extensive independent professional legal, audit and valuation advice as well as the Council's Disposals Policy, fiduciary responsibilities, and the implications of forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation.
As a result, Cabinet approved three options for The Stag:
- Transfer of the freehold to Sevenoaks Town Council for £650,000, reflecting the independently assessed Existing Use Value.
- A new 30-year lease to Sevenoaks Town Council, at a peppercorn rent, with the District Council retaining the freehold.
- Transfer of The Stag to the District Council's successor authority as part of Local Government Reorganisation if agreement cannot be reached.
These remain the only options approved by Cabinet.
The District Council has consistently sought to work constructively with the Town Council regarding the implementation of the Cabinet decision. Officers from both authorities had been due to meet in late July 2026 to discuss the approved options and next steps. However, following formal notification of the Town Council's intention to pursue Judicial Review proceedings, the District Council received legal advice that it would not be appropriate to continue parallel discussions on matters that had become the subject of a potential court challenge. As a result, those discussions did not proceed.
Sevenoaks District Council has also considered the Town Council's suggestion of mediation. This could create an expectation that options beyond those approved by Cabinet remained available for negotiation. As a public authority, the District Council is required to act in accordance with decisions formally taken through its governance processes and could not use mediation to revisit options that had not been approved by Cabinet.
Cllr Kevin Maskell, the Leader of Sevenoaks District Council, says: “The Town Council has indicated it will not be pursuing Judicial Review proceedings in relation to Cabinet's decision. Is also considering a recommendation to purchase the Stag freehold at the independently assessed Existing Use Value that formed the basis of Cabinet's decision. This means attention can now return to securing certainty over the future of The Stag.
"Cabinet was required to consider its fiduciary responsibilities, the interests of all District taxpayers, independent valuation advice, audit considerations and the forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation. Having considered all those matters, Cabinet determined that a transfer at Existing Use Value, or alternatively a long lease, represented the appropriate balance between supporting local stewardship and protecting public assets.
"The Council's position remains unchanged. Cabinet reached its decision following a thorough and transparent process, informed by independent professional advice and careful consideration of all relevant factors. Those approved options remain available, and we remain committed to securing a positive and sustainable future for The Stag for the benefit of current and future generations.
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