The Director of Law and Governance introduced a report on the Economy Regeneration and Development Committee’s recommendations, from its meeting on 29 September, 2021 in respect of proposed property disposals at three sites.

Councillor Tony Jones, as Chair of Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee, commented that no issues had been raised about these proposals at the Committee.

The report was before the Committee because in accordance with the Council’s Constitution any issue regarding land and property including major acquisition and disposals, which included reserved decision making concerning any purchase, sale or transfer of a value in excess of, or likely to exceed, £100,000; was reserved to the Policy and Resources Committee.

Responding to Members’ comments on the use of capital receipts from property disposals, the Director of Resources reminded Members that there was a capital receipts target which had to be used to offset the Capitalisation directive agreed with the former Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. With regard to the state of dangerous pathways within Plymyard Cemetery, she would look at what was available within the capital programme to address these possible health and safety concerns.

With regard to a previous suggestion (minute 37 (28/7/21) refers) on the use of a percentage of capital receipts for the benefit of local communities, the Director of Resources suggested that although the use of capital receipts was currently curtailed for such schemes, a report would be brought back to the December meeting on using an identified block of money on a ward or constituency basis to enable bids on the use of such monies for the benefit of specific local projects within communities.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Tony Jones, it was -

Resolved – That -

(1)  27 Balls Road, Oxton be declared surplus to requirements and authority be given to the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place, to arrange for its marketing by auction and subsequent sale on the terms described in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3 of the report;

(2)  Plymyard Cemetery Lodge, 996 New Chester Road, Eastham, be declared surplus to requirements and authority be given to the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place, to arrange for its marketing through a local estate agency on the terms described in paragraphs 3.4 and 3.5. of the report;

(3)  in the event that a sale of Plymyard Cemetery Lodge through an estate agency is not achieved expeditiously, the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place, be authorised to arrange for its marketing by auction and subsequent sale on the terms described in paragraphs 3.4 and 3.5. of the report;

(4)  the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to secure the sale of the Laser Engineering Centre, Birkenhead to the current tenant, for £340,000 (excluding VAT) plus fees of £1,500.

David Armstrong, Assistant Chief Executive, presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place which sought approval for the disposal of three of the Council’s property assets which were no longer required for operational needs.

Members queried some details of the proposals to ensure they were clear on the extent of the disposals.

Resolved – That Policy and Resources Committee be recommended to approve that:

(1)  27 Balls Road, Oxton, be declared surplus to requirements and authority be given to the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place, to arrange for its marketing by auction and subsequent sale on the terms described in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3. of the report;

(2)  Plymyard Cemetery Lodge, 996 New Chester Road, Eastham, be declared surplus to requirements and authority be given to the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place, to arrange for its marketing through a local estate agency on the terms described in paragraphs 3.4 and 3.5. of the report;

(3)  In the event that a sale of Plymyard Cemetery Lodge through an estate agency is not achieved expeditiously, the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place, be authorised to arrange for its marketing by auction and subsequent sale on the terms described in paragraphs 3.4 and 3.5. of the report;

(4)  The Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to secure the sale of the Laser Engineering Centre to the current tenant, for £340,000 (excluding VAT) plus fees of £1,500