Agenda item

It is proposed that the Christchurch By-Pass Car Park is sold to the adjoining owner of the retail outlet, in order to secure the continued occupation of this unit by Waitrose.

The purchase price has taken into consideration the existing use value of the site as a car park. The sale will be subject to clauses that allow the Council to buyback the site should it no longer be required as a car park.

The terms of the disposal have been agreed between the parties and are outlined in the confidential appendix to this report.

Progressing with this disposal will provide a capital receipt that will support the Council’s Transformation Programme.

The Leader of the Council presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that the report set out proposals for the Christchurch By-Pass Car Park to be sold to the adjoining owner of the retail outlet, in order to secure the continued occupation of this unit by Waitrose.

Further to this Cabinet were advised that the purchase price has taken into consideration the existing use value of the site as a car park, and that the sale will be subject to clauses that allow the Council to buyback the site should it no longer be required as a car park. Cabinet was informed that the terms of the disposal have been agreed between the parties and are outlined in the confidential appendix to this report, and that progressing with this disposal will provide a capital receipt that will support the Council’s Transformation Programme.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed the Cabinet stressing concern that the report should have an in-depth analysis of consideration from the Board prior to going to Council and urged consideration be given to deferring the item to a future Council meeting in order to allow consideration of the report by the Board.

Councillors Dedman and Hilliard addressed the Cabinet expressing concern with regards to the future use of the site, the effect it will have on the local residents and the assurance of the guarantee the Council had to buy back the site.

Councillor Hadley addressed the Cabinet expressing concern with regards to the rate at which this is being done and questioning the difference between the Council retaining the Car Park and selling the car park to the retail outlet.

In relation to this Members were informed that the retail unit wanted to remain in control of the car park and wanted the confidence that the car park would remain as a car park. Further to this Cabinet was advised that the expectation was that the car park would remain as a car park, and that providing security to the retail outlet would support the vibrancy of the town centre.

The Lead Member for BCP Retail Strategy and Christchurch Regeneration addressed the Cabinet highlighting that the car parking isn’t going to change, and that the report indicates that there is going to be no loss to car parking. Further to this Cabinet was informed that the access arrangements across the site had been considered and that this was a very good transaction to secure the retention of the current retail unit for the future.

The Leader highlighted that he would work with the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board outside of the Cabinet meeting in order to discuss ways in which the Board could be engaged in discussions around this item.

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(a)           agree to dispose of the Christchurch By-Pass Car Park, as outlined in red on the attached plan in Appendix 1, for the purchase price detailed in the confidential appendix to this report; and

(b)           delegate authority to the Corporate Property Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer to finalise the detailed terms of the disposal.

Voting: Nem. Con. (1 abstentions)

Councillor Mark Anderson declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this item and refrained from participating in the discussion and voting thereon.