Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           approves the disposal of land at Cabot Lane, Poole, as shown on the attached plan in Appendix 2, to Wessex Water on the principal terms set out in this report and for the consideration detailed in Confidential Appendix 3;

(b)           delegates authority to the Corporate Property Officer (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Portfolio holder, Monitoring Officer, to finalise the detailed terms of the disposals and enter into all necessary agreements; and

(c)           sets aside 5% of any proceeds of this disposal as a fund to improve water quality across BCP.

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

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the report on the Disposal of Land at Cabot Lane, Poole and outlined the recommendations as set out in the supplementary agenda pack.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder further highlighted the additional recommendation at (c) which had been added at the recent Cabinet meeting.

Council discussed the item in detail, during which a range of views were expressed.

Several Members raised concerns regarding water quality in local rivers and the impact on Christchurch Harbour.

During the debate, Members also noted that, if the land were not disposed of by the Council, it was understood that the land could be subject to compulsory purchase.

Further to this, members also noted that the proposed disposal was intended to support measures aimed at addressing pollution issues.

RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)           approved the disposal of land at Cabot Lane, Poole, as shown on the attached plan in Appendix 2, to Wessex Water on the principal terms set out in this report and for the consideration detailed in Confidential Appendix 3;

(b)           delegated authority to the Corporate Property Officer (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Portfolio holder, Monitoring Officer, to finalise the detailed terms of the disposals and enter into all necessary agreements; and

(c)           sets aside 5% of any proceeds of this disposal as a fund to improve water quality across BCP.

Voting: For:42, Against:7, Abstentions:5

Councillors Julie Bagwell, Judes Butt, John Challinor, Michelle Dower and Vanessa Ricketts left the meeting at 10.38pm

This report seeks approval for the disposal of Council‑owned land at Cabot Lane, Poole to Wessex Water.

The proposed transactions support the delivery of the Poole Strategic Resource Option (SRO), a significant water resilience scheme designed to improve long-term water supply and reduce abstraction from environmentally sensitive river systems.

Wessex Water has the ability to seek to acquire the land through compulsory purchase powers under Section 155 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

A negotiated disposal provides the Council with greater control over the terms, timing and outcome of the transaction when compared to a compulsory purchase process, which can be uncertain, time-consuming and resource intensive.

The disposals also enable the relocation of the ‘New to You’ service and wider asset rationalisation, which in turn supports the delivery of the Council’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) accommodation programme.

The proposals have been reviewed by the Cross-Party Strategic Asset Disposal Working Group and relevant ward councillors, who have endorsed the approach.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should the Cabinet wish to discuss the detail of the confidential appendix at Appendix 3 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 'H' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report sought approval for the disposal of Council‑owned land at Cabot Lane, Poole to Wessex Water.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the proposed transactions support the delivery of the Poole Strategic Resource Option (SRO), a significant water resilience scheme designed to improve long-term water supply and reduce abstraction from environmentally sensitive river systems.

Cabinet was informed that Wessex Water has the ability to seek to acquire the land through compulsory purchase powers under Section 155 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that a negotiated disposal provided the Council with greater control over the terms, timing and outcome of the transaction when compared to a compulsory purchase process, which can be uncertain, time-consuming and resource intensive.

Cabinet was informed that the disposals also enable the relocation of the ‘New to You’ service and wider asset rationalisation, which in turn supports the delivery of the Council’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) accommodation programme.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the proposals had been reviewed by the Cross-Party Strategic Asset Disposal Working Group and relevant ward councillors, who have endorsed the approach.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder for Finance proposed an additional recommendation at (c) to read:

(c)   sets aside 5% of any proceeds of this disposal as a fund to improve water quality across BCP

This addition was supported by the seconder of the report and therefore included within the substantive recommendations as set out and subsequently voted on below.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           approves the disposal of land at Cabot Lane, Poole, as shown on the attached plan in Appendix 2, to Wessex Water on the principal terms set out in this report and for the consideration detailed in Confidential Appendix 3;

(b)           delegates authority to the Corporate Property Officer (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Portfolio holder, Monitoring Officer, to finalise the detailed terms of the disposals and enter into all necessary agreements; and

(c)           sets aside 5% of any proceeds of this disposal as a fund to improve water quality across BCP

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Finance

1.             Supports delivery of a strategically important water infrastructure scheme contributing to long-term resilience and environmental objectives;

2.             Provides a negotiated alternative to compulsory purchase, enabling the Council to retain greater influence over the outcome;

3.             Ensures that best consideration reasonably obtainable is achieved in accordance with Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972;

4.             Enables asset rationalisation and supports improved service delivery and accommodation provision, including the SEND programme.

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 'H' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report sought approval for the disposal of Council‑owned land at Cabot Lane, Poole to Wessex Water.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the proposed transactions support the delivery of the Poole Strategic Resource Option (SRO), a significant water resilience scheme designed to improve long-term water supply and reduce abstraction from environmentally sensitive river systems.

Cabinet was informed that Wessex Water has the ability to seek to acquire the land through compulsory purchase powers under Section 155 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that a negotiated disposal provided the Council with greater control over the terms, timing and outcome of the transaction when compared to a compulsory purchase process, which can be uncertain, time-consuming and resource intensive.

Cabinet was informed that the disposals also enable the relocation of the ‘New to You’ service and wider asset rationalisation, which in turn supports the delivery of the Council’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) accommodation programme.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the proposals had been reviewed by the Cross-Party Strategic Asset Disposal Working Group and relevant ward councillors, who have endorsed the approach.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder for Finance proposed an additional recommendation at (c) to read:

(c)   sets aside 5% of any proceeds of this disposal as a fund to improve water quality across BCP

This addition was supported by the seconder of the report and therefore included within the substantive recommendations as set out and subsequently voted on below.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           approves the disposal of land at Cabot Lane, Poole, as shown on the attached plan in Appendix 2, to Wessex Water on the principal terms set out in this report and for the consideration detailed in Confidential Appendix 3;

(b)           delegates authority to the Corporate Property Officer (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Portfolio holder, Monitoring Officer, to finalise the detailed terms of the disposals and enter into all necessary agreements; and

(c)           sets aside 5% of any proceeds of this disposal as a fund to improve water quality across BCP

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Finance

1.             Supports delivery of a strategically important water infrastructure scheme contributing to long-term resilience and environmental objectives;

2.             Provides a negotiated alternative to compulsory purchase, enabling the Council to retain greater influence over the outcome;

3.             Ensures that best consideration reasonably obtainable is achieved in accordance with Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972;

4.             Enables asset rationalisation and supports improved service delivery and accommodation provision, including the SEND programme.