A Report by the Director of Regeneration and Place sought approval to amend a plan attached to an earlier decision to sell land at Arrowe Park Road, Upton.

David Armstrong, Assistant Chief Executive, introduced the report which was purely about the sale of land and did not concern itself with planning issues which would be a matter for another committee.

Prior to debating the item, Councillor Elizabeth Grey informed the committee that she had expressed very strong views about this matter, which could be seen as pre-determination so excused herself from the debate and any vote on the matter.

The Director of Law and Governance explained the matter of pre-determination in which a Member would have gone beyond expressing a strong view to the point at which they would no longer be coming at the issue with an open mind and in effect had said how they would vote.

The Committee then debated the matter at some length during which the Chair agreed to ward Councillor Jean Robinson addressing the meeting, speaking against the proposed sale of land. David Armstrong responded to a number of comments raised by Members.

Councillor Tom Usher moved, and it was seconded by Councillor Paul Stuart, that –

“The recommendations within the report be approved, with the addition of one further recommendation, that the Assistant Chief Executive report back to this Committee with a recommendation on a small amount of the capital receipts from this sale being ringfenced to support local projects in the area.”

An amendment to the recommendation was then moved by Councillor Phil Gilchrist, seconded by Councillor Chris Carubia, that –

“The additional triangular area shown near property 210 be not included in the sale.”

The amendment was put and lost (3:13).

The motion was put and carried (14:2).

Resolved (14:2) - That:

(1)  the public open space land edged red on the attached amended plan set out as Appendix 2 to this report at Arrowe Park Road, Upton (“the Site”), be declared surplus to Council requirements;

(2)  the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to agree a sale of the Site to Lidl GB Ltd. at £820,000 plus fees;

(3)  the Site is appropriated from primarily residential use to planning purposes pursuant to Section 122 of the Local Government Act (LGA) 1972, and disposed of provided no objections are made;

(4)  if the Site is appropriated as recommended that the Council will advertise the sale of the public open space as required by law;

(5)  any objections to the appropriation and/or disposal be considered and determined by the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Chair of Policy and Resources Committee.

(6) the Assistant Chief Executive report back to this Committee with a recommendation on a small amount of the capital receipts from this sale being ringfenced to support local projects in the area.

The Chair then adjourned the meeting at 7.35pm for 10 minutes.

The meeting resumed at 7.47pm.