Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           note the confidential draft minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 4 October 2024; and

(b)           subject to a viable alternative being confirmed before the Council meeting on the 10 December 2024, approve the disposal on an open market basis of the former Westbourne Plus site including St Ambrose Cottage on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance also acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Mike Cox presented the report on Westbourne Plus and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

In proposing the recommendations, the Portfolio Holder for Finance proposed an amendment to recommendation (b) so that recommendation (b) read as follows: -

(b)           Subject to a viable alternative being confirmed before the Council meeting on the 10 December 2024, approve the disposal on an open market basis of the former Westbourne Plus site including St Ambrose Cottage on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance, also acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

This was seconded by Councillor David Brown and debated as the substantive motion.

It is RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)           note the confidential draft minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 4 October 2024; and

(b)           approve the disposal on an open market basis of the former Westbourne Plus site including St Ambrose Cottage on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance, also acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Voting: For:55, Against:1, Abstentions:9

The meeting adjourned at 7.43pm and reconvened at 7.50pm.

This report presents a proposal to dispose of the former Westbourne Plus site in Alumhurst Road, Westbourne.

Following Cabinet’s adoption of the Adult Day Opportunities Strategy in March 2024 the Westbourne Plus site was declared surplus.

The proposal to disposal of former Westbourne Plus was considered by the cross-party strategic asset disposal working group on the 4 October 2024. The draft minutes of this meeting are presented as a confidential appendix to this report (Appendix B).

The approved recommendation of the cross-party working group was to endorse the proposal.

Similarly, the proposal was endorsed by the two local ward councillors who also attended the working group.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           note the confidential draft minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 4 October 2024; and

(b)           subject to a viable alternative being confirmed before the Council meeting on the 10 December 2024, approve the disposal on an open market basis of the former Westbourne Plus site including St Ambrose Cottage on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance also acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Finance

Reason

To obtain approval for the disposal of the former Westbourne Plus site.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report presented a proposal to dispose of the former Westbourne Plus site in Alumhurst Road, Westbourne. In relation to this Cabinet was informed that following Cabinet’s adoption of the Adult Day Opportunities Strategy in March 2024 the Westbourne Plus site had been declared surplus.

Cabinet was advised that the proposal to disposal of former Westbourne Plus was considered by the cross-party strategic asset disposal working group on the 4 October 2024, and that the draft minutes of this meeting were presented as a confidential appendix to this report (Appendix B).

Cabinet was further advised that the approved recommendation of the cross-party working group was to endorse the proposal, and that similarly, the proposal had been endorsed by the two local ward councillors who also attended the working group.

Confirmation was sought that there was access to alternative provisions for those who previously used the facilities.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           note the confidential draft minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 4 October 2024; and

(b)           subject to a viable alternative being confirmed before the Council meeting on the 10 December 2024, approve the disposal on an open market basis of the former Westbourne Plus site including St Ambrose Cottage on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance also acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Finance

Reason

To obtain approval for the disposal of the former Westbourne Plus site.