Agenda item

A report was introduced by the Chief Executive who had been Chair of the Asset Policy Committee. The Committee had been set up by Full Council at it’s meeting held on 25^th November 2015. Mr Sellgren outlined the terms of reference that had been adopted by the Committee and the Mayor invited Members to comment on and discuss the report.

Members thanked Mr Sellgren, his staff and Cushman Wakefield and the Independent Members for their hard work regarding the quick establishment and progress of the Committee given the very tight timescales.

The recommendations were moved by Cllr Sweeney and Seconded by Cllr Loades.

Cllr Tagg had sat on the Asset Policy Committee and he stated that the Committee had done what needed to be done. It was recommended as per the consultants’ advice that three large sites be disposed of in the first instance. Cllr Tagg also stated that the recommendations allowed for some flexibility and for community interest elements through the use of section 106 agreements.

Some Members expressed concerns regarding land that currently had village green stats which it was thought would not be saleable until this classification had been lifted.

Some Members also queried how the sites put forward by Cllr Huckfield at the Asset Policy Committee and listed in the report had been decided and there was some concern that a detailed matrix had not been used. It was confirmed that a draft matrix had been distributed to Members before Christmas but no comments had been received and the matrix had not been used during the meeting due to the fact that it contained no weightings.

Members were in agreement that assets needed to be sold to fund the Council’s capital programme but the question remained as to how this was to be done.

The Mayor moved Members to the vote and stated that an individual vote would be taken on each recommendation listed in the report.

Resolved:

(a)            The Council reaffirmed the decision of Cabinet taken in October 2014 “that the Council as a first resort, will seek to fund its known capital programme needs through the annual asset management planning process by the identification of land or property in its ownership that is capable of, and appropriate for, disposal”.

(b)            The Council recommends to Cabinet that provision is made in future revenue budgets for prudential borrowing.

A named vote was requested for recommendation (c):

In Favour - 27

Against - 26

Abstain - 1

(c) The majority of Council members wish to recommend to Cabinet that the following sites be considered suitable for disposal within the next two financial years subject to confirmation of the appropriate level of capital receipt following a site condition survey (and any other appropriate surveys such as ecology Part 1 reports):

• Knype Way, Bradwell
• Dean’s Lane, Chesterton
• Crackley Bank, Chesterton
• Gloucester Road, Kidsgrove
• Newchapel Road/Pennyfields Road, Kidsgrove/Newchapel
• Clayhanger Close, Bradwell
• Market Drayton Road, Loggerheads
• Meadows Road, Kidsgrove
• Former toilet block, Merrial Street, Newcastle town centre

(d)            The Council wishes to recommend to Cabinet that in light of the advice which has been received that the Council should seek to be marketing actively no more than three of its larger sites at any one time and that as sites are sold further sites should be brought forward. 

A named vote was requested for recommendation (e):

In Favour - 28

Against - 25

Abstain - 0

(e) The majority of Council members identified the following sites as falling within the group of sites referred to at (d) and that the sequencing of disposals should be prioritised in the financial years stated taking account of geographical spread, deliverability and potential value of receipts:

• Knype Way, Bradwell (2016/17)
• Dean’s Lane, Chesterton (2016/17)
• Newchapel Road / Pennyfields Road, Kidsgrove/Newchapel (2016/17)
• Market Drayton Road, Loggerheads (2017/18)
• Clayhanger Close, Bradwell (2017/18)

A named vote was requested for recommendation (f):

In Favour - 29

Against - 24

Abstain - 0

(f)             The majority of Council members wish to recommend that all of the Council owned land/sites together (including the smaller sites set out above) be the subject of a comprehensive area review process. 

A named vote was requested for recommendation (g):

In Favour - 29

Against - 24

Abstain - 0

(g) The majority of Council members wish to recommend that the former Keele Golf Course be regarded as surplus and therefore suitable for disposable at the appropriate time should the planning policy framework support an alternative development-led use.

(h) The Council wishes to recommend to Cabinet that the preferred approach to local consultation about the disposal of surplus assets should be to consult with local members about any proposed sale in accordance with the Council’s current consultation procedure but that it be extended for a further week to enable the most appropriate member-led approach to public consultation to be determined (in addition to the approved notification procedure).  All comments received will be considered and will form part of a public report prior to any formal disposal being initiated.

(i) The Council wishes to recommend to Cabinet that a communications briefing should be prepared to support the public consultation process to explain the rationale underpinning the land disposal programme and to explain the process for local representations being taken into account in any disposal decision(s).

(j) The Council wishes to recommend that Cabinet may wish to consider whether further work needs to be undertaken to develop the Asset Disposal Policy from the outline formulated by the Committee.