Issue - meetings

Pierremont Hall is listed as a community asset. At a Cabinet meeting on 19 February 2015 authority was granted to officers to progress negotiations through the asset disposal process with Broadstairs Town Council as part of their community right to bid.

The only bid to be received at the point of the publication of this report was from Broadstairs Town Council, and is at less than best consideration. On the day before this Cabinet meeting, a letter was received from another party, offering to purchase the site. This demonstrates that there may be interest in an open market sale, if Cabinet were to decide to pursue that option.

Members were advised that the Local Government Act 1972 General Disposal Consent provides for a local authority to dispose for less than best consideration, if it promotes or improves the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of the area.

In its submission, Broadstairs Town Council listed its evidence to support these aims. It is for Cabinet to decide if the value of the wellbeing benefits by disposing the asset to the Town Council outweighs the loss of potential additional financial receipts from outright disposal.

Councillor Bayford spoke under Council Procedure Rule 24.1.

Councillor Townend proposed, Councillor Wells seconded and Members agreed the following:

1.  To consider whether the purpose for which the land is to be disposed is likely to contribute to the promotion or improvement of the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of the whole or part of the district or all or any persons resident or present in the district. In particular, whether those benefits outweigh the difference in price between the offer and the valuation of the land and thereafter agreed the following;

2.  That cabinet is satisfied in relation to recommendation 5.1(in the Cabinet report) and that approval is given to dispose of Pierremont Hall by Community Asset transfer to Broadstairs Town Council;

3.  That any transfer to include appropriate restrictive covenants and overage clauses to protect the Council's position in the event of any future disposals of the property.