Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation to explain the governance in place when the Council seeks to dispose of land and property.

The Chief Financial Officer gave a presentation on governance arrangements for the disposal of council land and property, a copy of which appears at Appendix ‘D’ to these minutes in the Minute Book.

The content of the presentation covered key areas, including a step-by-step process map for asset disposal, the role of the Cross Party Strategic Asset Disposal Working Group (CPSADWG) and its agreed operating principles, the respective financial thresholds for Officer/Cabinet/Council decision making as set out in the Financial Regulations and the legal framework for asset disposal subject to Best Value Duty.

The Chief Financial Officer responded to questions from the Committee on issues raised in the presentation, including:

·       It was confirmed that ward members were consulted on asset disposals in their ward. This could be widened on a case-by-case basis, for example if an asset was located in an adjourning ward near the ward boundary.

·       The Committee was advised that there was a pipeline of assets disposals which was useful in the context of the timescale set out in Principle 1 regarding ‘disposal of assets where completion can be guaranteed by 31 March of the relevant financial year and to the required amount’

·       It was suggested that the Council may wish to consider leasing empty properties as a source of income. It was noted that any proposal needed to accord with the CPSADWG principles.

·       The Council continued to review the internal resources needed to deliver the required asset disposals. It was noted that issues affecting the delivery were often due to external factors outside the Council’s control.

The Chair thanked the Chief Financial Officer for his presentation.