Decision details

Effective asset management is essential to meeting the Council’s priorities.  The disposal of surplus property is an important part of the council’s drive to rationalise the estate and by doing so create an efficient and sustainable estate that meets local needs.  Forresters Hall requires substantial capital funding to bring it up to a reasonable state of repair and the Council does not have the funding to complete this work.  Without investment the Council is not able to grant new tenancies, and therefore the premises is considered surplus.  This paper considers the opportunity to sell the property giving first refusal to Trustees of East Kent Mencap. 

1.  To proceed with the disposal of Forrester’s Hall at market value with first refusal given to the Trustees of East Kent Mencap noting that the offer will be will be subject to the sale completing within nine months of the date of the Cabinet decision.

2.  After nine months the Council will be free to sale the premises to another organisation at market value.

Without significant capital funding to undertake major refurbishment works the Council is not able to let the building.  This means that there will be minimal income in 2018 and the costs to hold the building will increase.

The Council could retain the premises but it would be unlettable and therefore fall into further disrepair, this would not support the Corporate aims and is therefore rejected.