[Note – this item was considered during the unrestricted part of the meeting.]

DECISION

1.    To note the content of the Exempt/Confidential Appendix to the main report.

[Note – this item was considered during the unrestricted part of the meeting.]

RESOLVED

1.    To note the content of the Exempt/Confidential Appendix to the main report.

DECISION

1. To note the contents of this report;

2. To agree that the land and buildings referred to below (as shown on the plans in Appendix A) are surplus to requirements:

a.    Cheviot House, 227 to 233 Commercial Road

b.    60 Southern Grove

3. To agree to the disposal of the sites by informal tender;

4. To agree to the disposal of the sites on 199 year leases;

5. To authorise the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal, to appoint external agents to support the marketing of the sites;

6. To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal to accept the best tender returns for the sites on conclusion of the marketing exercise; and

7.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, following consultation with the Director of Law Probity and Governance, to agree the terms and conditions of any agreements required to implement the recommendations above.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Service Head, Corporate Property and Capital Delivery (A. Sutcliffe)

The Mayor introduced the agenda item and in particular thanked Ann Sutcliffe, Service Head, Corporate Property and Capital Delivery, for the work she had undertaken on this issue.

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, then introduced the report. He highlighted that there had been discussions over a number of years but that the buildings were mainly empty and were costing the Council significant funds to maintain. It was noted that there was significant history attached to the old workhouse building.

Councillor Peter Golds, Leaders of the Conservative Group, addressed the meeting. He highlighted the architectural importance of preserving a unique art deco building and ensuring a sensitive redevelopment.

The Mayor noted concerns about the need to preserve the history of the area and that any developments should be sensitive to that. He agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1. To note the contents of this report;

2. To agree that the land and buildings referred to below (as shown on the plans in Appendix A) are surplus to requirements:

a.    Cheviot House, 227 to 233 Commercial Road

b.    60 Southern Grove

3. To agree to the disposal of the sites by informal tender;

4. To agree to the disposal of the sites on 199 year leases;

5. To authorise the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal, to appoint external agents to support the marketing of the sites;

6. To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal to accept the best tender returns for the sites on conclusion of the marketing exercise; and

7.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, following consultation with the Director of Law Probity and Governance, to agree the terms and conditions of any agreements required to implement the recommendations above.