Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           note the confidential minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Strategic Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 12 February 2026; and

(b)           approve the disposal on an open market basis of; 12-14 Commercial Road, Queensmead Care Home and Penn Hill Car Park on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance, acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should Council wish to discuss the detail of the confidential appendices at Appendix 2 or Appendix 3 the meeting will be required to move into Confidential (Exempt) Session].

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the report on Asset Disposals and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Councillor John Challinor proposed an amendment to recommendation (b) to remove the reference to Penn Hill Car Park so that recommendation (b) read as follows: -

(b)         approve the disposal on an open market basis of; 12-14 Commercial Road and Queensmead Care Home on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance, acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

This amendment was seconded by Councillor Gavin Wright.

Council comprehensively debated the proposed amendment, including the underutilisation of the car park and the potential impact on nearby shops.

Concern was also raised regarding the lack of ward councillor representation at the meeting, and it was noted in response that the working group was made up of cross-party representation.

Following debate on the amendment it was put to the vote whereby the amendment fell with voting:

For:19, Against:35, Abstentions:1

The substantive motion as originally proposed was then debated and following a request to vote separately on the individual sites was voted on as set out below.

RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)           noted the confidential minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Strategic Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 12 February 2026; and

(b)           approved the disposal on an open market basis of;

(1) 12-14 Commercial Road,

(2) Queensmead Care Home and

(3) Penn Hill Car Park

on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance, acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Voting: (a) and (b) 1 and 2: Unanimous

            (b) 3: For:35, Against:15, Abstentions:3

This report presents a proposal to dispose of the following assets:

1.    12-14 Commercial Road, Poole, BH14 0JW

2.    Queensmead Care Home, Bronte Avenue, Christchurch, BH23 2NP

3.    Penn Hill Car Park, Canford Cliffs Road, Poole, BH14 9LZ

The proposal to dispose of the above assets was considered by the cross-party strategic asset disposal working group on the 12 February 2026. The draft minutes of this meeting are presented as a confidential appendix to this report (Appendix 3). The approved recommendation of the cross-party working group was to endorse the proposal.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should Cabinet wish to discuss the detail of the confidential appendix at Appendix 2 the meeting will be required to move into Confidential (Exempt) Session].

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 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report presented a proposal to dispose of the following assets:

1.    12-14 Commercial Road, Poole, BH14 0JW

2.    Queensmead Care Home, Bronte Avenue, Christchurch, BH23 2NP

3.    Penn Hill Car Park, Canford Cliffs Road, Poole, BH14 9LZ

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the proposal to dispose of the above assets was considered by the cross-party strategic asset disposal working group on the 12 February 2026, and that the draft minutes of this meeting were presented as a confidential appendix to this report (Appendix 3), and that the approved recommendation of the cross-party working group was to endorse the proposal.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           note the confidential minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Strategic Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 12 February 2026; and

(b)           approve the disposal on an open market basis of; 12-14 Commercial Road, Queensmead Care Home and Penn Hill Car Park on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance, acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Finance

Reason

To seek Cabinet approval for the disposal of the identified surplus and under-utilised assets to secure capital receipts in support of the Council’s financial strategy.

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 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report presented a proposal to dispose of the following assets:

1.    12-14 Commercial Road, Poole, BH14 0JW

2.    Queensmead Care Home, Bronte Avenue, Christchurch, BH23 2NP

3.    Penn Hill Car Park, Canford Cliffs Road, Poole, BH14 9LZ

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the proposal to dispose of the above assets was considered by the cross-party strategic asset disposal working group on the 12 February 2026, and that the draft minutes of this meeting were presented as a confidential appendix to this report (Appendix 3), and that the approved recommendation of the cross-party working group was to endorse the proposal.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           note the confidential minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Strategic Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 12 February 2026; and

(b)           approve the disposal on an open market basis of; 12-14 Commercial Road, Queensmead Care Home and Penn Hill Car Park on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance, acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Finance

Reason

To seek Cabinet approval for the disposal of the identified surplus and under-utilised assets to secure capital receipts in support of the Council’s financial strategy.