The Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted that following the Cabinet decision made on 4th February, 2015 authorising the sale of properties by informal tender officers had reconsidered the options of the sale for 296 Bethnal Green Road.  Accordingly, officers were of the opinion that the sale by auction for this property would be beneficial in terms of speed of sale, market coverage and the likely price achieved.

The Committee noted the Call-in requisition stated that:

1.         Until the election of a new mayor, executive decisions should be paused in order to ensure legitimacy and accountability of any decisions made. The deputy mayor has no democratic mandate to make decisions, including the decision over 296 Bethnal Green Road;

2.         The disposal of assets such as 296 Bethnal Green Road during a period of uncertainty over governance issues – namely the removal of the executive mayor from office – would benefit from full scrutiny in a cross-party arena. Consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would provide such scrutiny and examination; and

3.         The disposal of assets requires the agreement of the DCLG appointed commissioners.

As a result of a full and wide ranging discussion on this report the Committee

RESOLVED that:

That this decision is referred back and that it is re-considered through the established cross party procedure.