Agenda item

This report presents the outcome of the market testing in respect of the disposal of Poole Civic Centre.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should the Cabinet wish to discuss the detail of the exempt Appendices at Appendix C1 & C2 it will be necessary to exclude the press and public and 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 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report presented the outcome of the market testing in respect of the disposal of Poole Civic Centre, and that the testing aimed to explore viable options for the site’s future use and determine the best course of action for its disposal.

Cabinet was informed that the recommendation was to sell the freehold of the entire site to MCR Property Group for £5.25 million, and that the offer represented the highest bid received during the market testing process and that it was considered the best value for the Council.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the sale included provisions for MCR Property Group to enter discussions with the Poole Chartered Trustees or any future Poole Town Council regarding lease terms for a ‘vertical slice’ of the building. In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the vertical slice comprised of specific areas across four floors intended for public use, including the Poole Mayoralty function and potential community and coroner use.

Cabinet was informed that the disposal aligned with the Council’s strategic goals to reduce holding costs, maximise financial returns, and ensure sustainable management of its estate, and that the sale would help offset costs associated with the disposal and contribute to the Council’s broader financial and operational objectives.

Councillor Mark Howell addressed the Cabinet in particular with regards to the vertical slice highlighting the important assets to the heritage of Poole and urging the sale to be without the vertical slice. Councillor Howell indicated that he felt the report was misleading and that it failed to address Councils request to see if the vertical slice could be used by the Community.

Councillor Howell urged Cabinet to wait until the Community Governance process had been completed prior to considering the sale and advised that he felt there had been a lack proper process, and that multiple groups had requested this item be withdrawn.

Within Councillor Howells address to Cabinet Councillor Howell made reference to a complaint he had made regarding senior officers.

The Leader and Chief Executive offered Councillor Howell the opportunity to withdraw personal comments he had made regarding senior officers for which he declined to do.

Councillor Patrick Canavan addressed the Cabinet, firstly distancing himself and his group from the comments made by the previous councillor which he deemed to be wholly unacceptable.

Councillor Canavan advised that he had written to the leader on the 13^th July, and to other Cabinet members also requesting that this item be withdrawn in order to look at options to sell the site without the vertical slice and to retain ownership of the vertical slice.

In relation to this Councillor Canavan sought reassurance that the vertical slice options had been properly considered or could still be considered as part of the ongoing process.

Councillor Sue Aitkenhead addressed the Cabinet further in support of officers and also to request that the paper be withdrawn and brought back to Cabinet when the viability has been properly considered with fully costed options to include keeping the vertical slice, and with the views of the Charter Trustees having been taken into account.

Councillor Philip Broadhead addressed the Cabinet in support of the proposal from previous speakers to withdraw the item expressing concern that the recommendation from Council in October hadn’t been followed and that the retention of the vertical slice hadn’t been explored in full.

Councillor Broadhead advised that he felt the report was not in the spirit of what was agreed at Council previously, and that the decision should be delayed.

Meeting adjourned at 11:26

Meeting reconvened at 11:29

Cabinet members spoke in support of both officers and the report whilst recognising the comments related to retaining the vertical slice and highlighting the need to dispose of the site.

Further to this Cabinet recognised the concerns surrounding the heritage and of the aspiration to retain the vertical slice, and the Portfolio Holder thanked members for the robust debate and advised in response to comments raised that the heritage asset would be protected, and that the brochure which had gone out had been very open and that it had been deemed not feasible to retain the vertical slice.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

Approve the freehold disposal of the whole of the former Poole civic offices to MCR Property Group for £5.25m. After completion of the sale, MCR Property Group will enter discussions with the Poole Charter Trustees or any future Town Council regarding the terms of lease of the vertical slice. The terms of this offer are set out in confidential Appendix C1 and C2.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Finance

Reason

To obtain approval for the disposal of the former Poole Civic Centre in Sandbanks Road, Poole. BH15 2RU