Seeking approval to terms of disposal of asset.

Councillor Adrian Jones introduced a report by the Assistant Chief Executive, which provided an update of the previously approved proposal to dispose of the former Rock Ferry High School site, consideration of the outcomes of the public consultation and sought approval to the proposed Council’s submission to the Secretary of State for Education to allow the site to be used for other purposes. 

As part of the Council’s five year plan, the proposals in the Assistant Chief Executive’s report supported the following pledges contained in the plan:

·  Good quality housing that meets the needs of residents.

·  A safer and better environment resulting from the redevelopment of a significant vacant site.

·  The Council making better use of assets. 

Appended to the Assistant Chief Executive’s report were the following:

Appendix 1 – The on line Consultation Survey (Summary)

Appendix 2 - Notes from Residents Meetings

Councillor Chris Meaden reported that in May 2015, as a Ward Member, she had attended residents meetings with Rock Ferry residents to establish what they wanted to happen.  She had listened to what they had said and as a consequence the recommendations in respect of Rock Ferry High School had been amended.  She thanked all of the residents who had attended the meetings along with Jeannette Royal, Senior Manager, Asset Management, David Armstrong, Deputy Director Children and Young Persons Department and Assistant Chief Executive and David Ball, Head of Regeneration and Planning who had also been in attendance.

RESOLVED: That:

(1)  the submission of the application to the Secretary of State for Education for the disposal and change of use of the former Rock Ferry High School be approved;

(2)  the mixed use option for the site as outlined in 6.4 of the report be approved;

(3)  officers be requested to progress development proposals to site (area A) for residential development in accordance with local planning requirements; and

(4)  Officers be requested to work with the newly formed Rock Ferry Residents Association to bring forward proposals for the management of the site (areas B and C).