The Director of Regeneration and Place introduced the report which provided a list of property assets which formed a programme of proposed disposals over the coming years. The report followed the approval of the Asset Strategy by the Committee on 9 November 2022 and the directive of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to meet the capitalisation directive.

The Committee discussed the report and concerns were raised regarding the process and the role of Policy and Services Committees in declaring assets surplus to requirements. The Committee was reminded of the urgency in raising capital receipts to pay off the capitalisation directive to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities within the recommended timeframe, as well as the requirement to dispose of land to support the delivery of the Local Plan and the need to satisfy the Independent Panel of the Council’s intent to make timely and strategic decisions.

Following a debate, the Committee agreed to consider the long list of assets and dispose of those where there was unanimity. After considering each asset, it was –

Resolved – That

(1) the following assets be declared surplus to requirements and the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, be authorised to consider and determine any responses or objections to the sale of any of these assets which is considered to be open space as defined by Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972; and  progress and conclude sales of the assets on the best terms reasonably possible:

Oaklands Outdoor Centre, Llanwryst

29 Seaview Road, Liscard

129 – 131 Laird Street, Birkenhead

Land at Pearson Road, Tranmere

Seacombe Library, Liscard Road, Seacombe

Units 10/12/14 Kelvinside, Seacombe

Arrowe Hill Facilities Management Store, Woodchurch

Eastham Youth & Community Centre

Coronation Gardens (Café), West Kirby

Albion Street Lifeguard Station, New Brighton

Hamilton Building, Birkenhead

Dee Lane Kiosk, West Kirby

Marine Technology Park, Tranmere

Manor Road 6, Wallasey

Former Liscard Municipal Offices and adjacent Car Park

Fender Way Former Scout Hut, Beechwood

Price Street Car Park, Birkenhead

The Committee then considered each asset where members had requested for information or discussion prior to a decision, beginning with those where the discussion could take place within the public session.

The Committee considered the disposal of Holborn Square given the representations made by Tranmere Tunnels Volunteers Ltd (TTVL) and the Birkenhead & Tranmere Community Benefit Society Ltd (BATCBS) and were of the view that the groups should be given time to make a bid for Community Asset Transfer. It was raised that a timeframe should be put on the process to ensure the delivery of the Community Asset Transfer process or otherwise in a timely manner.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Pat Cleary, it was –

Resolved – That

(2) Holborn Square be referred to the relevant Policy and Services Committee to consider the potential for a Community Asset Transfer.

The Committee then considered Bebington Town Hall, Annexe and car park (site of the former) where the case was made that it would be a preferable site for extra care housing. On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Phil Gilchrist, it was –

Resolved – That

(3) the site of the former Bebington Town Hall, Annexe and car park be declared surplus to requirements and the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, be authorised to consider and determine any responses or objections to the sale of the assets which is considered to be open space as defined by Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972; and  progress and conclude the sale following exploration of the potential for extra care housing.

The Committee considered Bedford Place Cleared Site & Amenity Open Space where concerns were raised over its disposal. It was moved by Councillor Pat Cleary and seconded by Councillor Jo Bird that the matter be referred to the relevant Policy and Services Committee for further investigation. The motion as put to the vote and fell (3:12).

On a motion by Councillor Jeff Green, seconded by Councillor Angie Davies, it was –

Resolved (12:3) – That

(4) Bedford Place Cleared Site & Amenity Open Space be declared surplus to requirements and the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, be authorised to consider and determine any responses or objections to the sale of the assets which is considered to be open space as defined by Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972; and progress and conclude the sale on the best terms reasonably possible.

The Committee considered The Carrs Agricultural Land, Meols and felt that its disposal was contrary to the Council’s determination to protect greenspace. On a motion by Councillor Jean Robinson, seconded by Councillor Jeff Green, it was –

Resolved – That

(5) The Carrs Agricultural Land, Meols be removed from the asset disposal list.

The Committee considered the proposed disposal of Clare Mount Specialist Sports College, Moreton, where it was felt that site contributed to the Playing Pitch Strategy. It was moved by Councillor Pat Cleary, seconded by Councillor Harry Gorman, that Clare Mount Specialist Sports College, Moreton be referred to the relevant Policy and Services Committee for further consideration. The motion was put to the vote and fell (4:11).

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Jeff Green, it was –

Resolved (11:4) –That

(6) Clare Mount Specialist Sports College, Moreton be declared surplus to requirements and the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, be authorised to progress and conclude the sale on the best terms reasonably possible.

It was felt by the Committee that the outstanding sites could not be determined within the public session. On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Angie Davies, it was –

Resolved – That under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act. The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

The Committee considered the remaining sites and discussed their potential disposal in detail. During the exempt session, it was – 

Resolved – That

(7)  (12:3) the land at Ditton Lane, Moreton be declared surplus to requirements and the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, be authorised to progress and conclude the sale on the best terms reasonably possible.

(8)  the Land at Old Clatterbridge Road, Bebington be declared surplus to requirements and the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, be authorised to consider and determine any responses or objections to the sale of the assets which is considered to be open space as defined by Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972; and progress and conclude the sale on the conditions set out by the Committee.

(9)  Wirral Business Centre, Dock Road, Wallasey be declared surplus to requirements and the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, be authorised to progress and conclude the sale on the conditions set out by the Committee.

(10)  (11:4) Bromborough Civic Centre be declared surplus to requirements and the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, be authorised to consider and determine any responses or objections to the sale of the assets which is considered to be open space as defined by Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972; and progress and conclude the sale on the best terms reasonably possible.