Issue - meetings

Cabinet considered a report that proposed a list of assets to dispose in 2016/17, subject to the agreed council asset disposal process which included conducting a consultation. Residents were encouraged to take part in the consultation process by making representations through their ward councillors.

The local community could express their interest in the assets being proposed for disposal, as part of their ‘Community Right to Bid.’ Members were reminded that the purpose of the meeting was to make an in principle decision on the matter, with a final decision to be made at a later date. Cabinet agreed to remove the Leys HRA land from the proposed disposal list as further investigation was required regarding that piece of land.

The meeting was advised that there was a financial imperative to expedite the disposal process. This was in order to achieve the ongoing cost savings for assets maintenance that have been factored in the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Strategy was based on the assumption that there will be a rationalisation of the asset base, which would generate receipts that would also help fund the capital programme. Currently there was a significant gap between the receipts and capital programme commitments.

The following Members spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1:

Councillor Bayford;

Councillor Taylor-Smith;

Councillor Partington.

Councillor Townend proposed, Councillor Lin Fairbrass seconded and Members approved the disposal of the assets listed in Annex 1 (to the report), with sale proceeds being used to fund the asset management plan and capital programme, subject to the removal of Leys HRA Land from the disposals list for 2016/17.