Agenda item

Cabinet 16 July 2025 - Minute No. 30 - Poole Civic Centre - Soft Market Testing

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.

 

The exempt addendum attached is provided in response to requests for clarification from members, following Cabinet consideration of the Poole Civic Disposal report on 16 July 2025.

 

[PLEASE NOTE: Should the Council wish to discuss the detail of the exempt Appendices at Appendix C1, C2 and the addendum, it will be necessary to exclude the press and public and move into Confidential (Exempt) session]

Minutes:

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

 

An amendment to the recommendation was moved by Councillor Sue Aitkenhead and seconded by Councillor Pete Miles, so that it read:

 

“that Council considers the freehold disposal of the whole of the former Poole civic offices to MCR Property Group for £5.25m along with reconsidering the possibility of selling the site minus the vertical slice, deferring the final decision to the full council meeting scheduled for 14th October 2025, to allow the following to take place:

 

1.    That officers present a fully costed comparison of the viability of retaining the vertical slice, with the viability of leasing it under the terms offered or any further terms that may be negotiated before the sale is agreed.

2.    That recommendations to full council are based on clear evidence and information is provided to explain what alternative options were considered and why they were rejected.

  1. That the Charter Trustees of Poole are formally consulted on the recommendation and alternatives considered and invited to give their response in time for the October meeting.
  2. That the above information is provided in a timely manner and published well in advance of the October meeting to allow meaningful scrutiny and open democratic discussion, recognising the strength of local feeling about the Civic Centre, the heritage it represents, and the need for transparent decision-making in relation to assets of such civic and symbolic importance.
  3. That the possible outcomes of the current Local Governance Review are fully considered when assessing the viability of keeping or leasing the vertical slice, particularly as the establishment of a Town or Parish Council may have direct implications for the future civic use of the building, including as a democratic meeting place for local councillors.”

 

Following debate on the proposed amendment, a motion for a recorded vote was moved, seconded, and lost.

 

Council moved to vote on the proposed amendment. The motion was lost.

 

Voting: F24:A28 (4 Abstentions)

 

 

Following debate on the original motion, a proposal for a recorded vote was moved, seconded and agreed by Council.

 

Council moved to vote on the motion:

 

For:

Cllr M Andrews

Cllr A Hadley

Cllr L Northover

Cllr D Brown

Cllr J Hanna

Cllr F Rice

Cllr S Bull

Cllr E Harman

Cllr J Richardson

Cllr R Burton

Cllr R Herrett

Cllr P Sidaway

Cllr A Chapmanlaw

Cllr P Hilliard

Cllr P Slade

Cllr B Chick

Cllr B Hitchcock

Cllr M Tarling

Cllr J Clements

Cllr S Mackrow

Cllr T Trent

Cllr M Cox

Cllr A Martin

Cllr O Walters

Cllr L Dedman

Cllr C Matthews

Cllr C Weight

Cllr M Earl

Cllr S McCormack

 

Cllr M Gillett

Cllr S Moore

 

Cllr C Goodall

Cllr B Nanovo

 

 

Against:

Cllr S Aitkenhead

Cllr P Cooper

Cllr G Martin

Cllr S Armstrong

Cllr D d’Orton-Gibson

Cllr J Martin

Cllr J Beesley

Cllr M Dower

Cllr P Miles

Cllr P Broadhead

Cllr G Farquhar

Cllr A-M Moriarty

Cllr J Butt

Cllr D Farr

Cllr K Rampton

Cllr P Canavan

Cllr M Howell

Cllr T Slade

Cllr E Connolly

Cllr A Keddie

Cllr G Wright

 

Abstentions:

Cllr J Salmon

Cllr K Salmon

 

 

RESOLVED: - 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: F33:A21 (2 Abstentions)

 

Cllr Rampton returned 21:30

 

Supporting documents: