A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This seeks approval in principle to the sale of Council properties, subject to satisfactory further evaluation and consultation, in order to assist in funding capital spending. (Key decision – reference number 3783)

(Report No.99)

(8.50 – 8.55 pm)

Councillor Andrew Stafford (Cabinet Member for Finance and Property) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.99) seeking approval in principle to the sale of various Council properties listed in the appendix to the report, which were considered in the Council’s overall best interests to sell, subject to satisfactory further evaluation and consultation, in order to assist in funding capital spending.

NOTED

1.               Councillor Stafford outlined the processes which were followed in establishing potential properties for disposal. Members’ were advised that the properties detailed in appendix one of the report would be subject to further consideration and approval to their disposal was only being sought in principle at this stage. Ward Councillors had been notified.  

Alternative Options Considered: Retention of property without regular review was clearly not in the Council’s business interests. If property was not disposed of, it would cause a reduction in capital spending or increased borrowing. However evaluation of individual cases might result in retention being the better option.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed

1.               That approval be given in principle to the disposal of those properties listed in the Appendix to the report.

2.               To delegate the method of sale and the approval of provisionally agreed terms of sale to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property in consultation with the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services.

Reason: Potential disposal of the properties was recommended as being in the Council’s best financial interests balanced against service and community needs.

(Key decision – reference number 3783)