Decision details

This decision relates to the proposed asset disposals considered at Cabinet on the 15th June 2017. In the absence of any negative response from ward members it was recommended that the assets as described in the report be disposed of.

Cabinet agreed the following:

1.  To proceed with the disposal of West Cliff Hall, Ramsgate and  Western Undercliff Toilets and Café, Ramsgate with sale proceeds being used to fund the asset management and capital programmes;

2.  To proceed with the transfer of the Playing fields, Lymington Road, Westgate-on-Sea and Charlotte Court and Albert Court, Ramsgate to Parish & Town Councils and eligible community groups to ensure their continued use for the benefit of the community.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy assumes ongoing cost savings in the maintenance of assets to be achieved by rationalising the asset base. In addition the capital programme requires funding from receipts generated from asset disposals. There are also benefits to the community in passing the management of assets to town and parish councils or community groups.

Members could have chosen not to dispose of assets the assets which were recommended for sale on the open market. This was rejected because the failure to generate the receipts from disposals could cause the capital programme to be curtailed, leading to reduced investment in assets.

Members could have chosen not to pass assets to councils or community groups which would lose the opportunity to save costs and support local community groups.