Issue - meetings

Members considered the report on four properties owned by Council, which are the Margate Museum, Margate Old Town Hall, The Tudor House Margate and Dickens House in Broadstairs. A review of the condition of these properties had identified a significant backlog of repairs and, with the current economic climate of reduced public funding, consideration had to be given to finding alternative ways to continue supporting museum provision in the future.

Cabinet was requested to authorise officers to look for alternative options that will ensure a sustainable museum presence in Margate and Broadstairs and facilitate the re-opening of the Old Margate Town Hall building.

The following Members spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1:

Councillor Stuart Piper;

Councillor Campbell;

Councillor Lin Fairbrass.

Cabinet acknowledged the recommendations from the Executive Scrutiny Panel where the Executive was asked to consider the following:-

?  Legal title and conveyance history to confirm rights to transfer properties and;

?  Establish when the funds bequeathed to Dickens House would be made available for the maintenance of the property.

In response to the above Panel proposals, Cabinet agreed to address concerns raised in the recommendations; should Cabinet decide to proceed and agree to the marketing of the properties as part of the stage 1 of the disposals process.

Councillor Gregory proposed, Councillor Ashbee seconded and Members authorised officers to progress the following decisions:

(1)  Dickens House, Broadstairs - to market the opportunity as a going concern (i.e. the premises, collections and staff) through appropriate channels for transfer to a voluntary or community body and

(2)  Margate Museum, Margate - to market the opportunity following the rules imposed by the Asset of Community Value regime (Localism Act 2011)  to transfer to a voluntary or community body and

(3)  Tudor House, Margate - market opportunities through appropriate channels to transfer the premises to a use that demonstrates credible investment will be achievable in a reasonable timeframe and the use will continue to support the heritage of the area and use of the asset by members of the public and

(4)  Margate Town Hall, Margate – market opportunities for the property through appropriate channels to transfer to a use that demonstrates credible investment but with consideration given to preserving the Margate Charter Trustees presence. The existing leasehold interest on the ground floor will not be affected by the transfer.

(5)  In respect of above to report back to Cabinet with the outcome of the marketing exercise and a recommendation on the way forward for each of the above properties.

Cabinet considered proposals for the disposal of assets and Members were asked to agree approaches for disposal to achieve a capital receipt, the community asset transfer framework and for transfer under the asset of community value process under the Localism Act 2011.

Those properties which were recommended for disposal to achieve a capital receipt included the following:

1.  Land at Hartsdown and Property Plot 1

This property is recommended for sale on the open market as the property requires investment and the rental yield is low.

There are existing leases and licences but these will be unaffected by the sale and a clawback provision will be included to capture any future uplift in development Value.

2.  40 Hawley Square Margate

This is the former CCTV base which has been relocated to Cecil Street offices. This property will be sold on the open market.

3.  Land at Hartsdown Margate Football Club

There are existing leases in place with the Football Club and the Club has invested significant sums in the premises including a new 3G pitch.

Margate Football Club has ambitious future investment plans which require the Club to secure the necessary funding (including community funding). A longer interest in the land is required to deliver that funding and investment. A long lease has been considered but a freehold would be more effective.

The sports and recreational uses can be protected through planning controls and restrictive covenants. In addition a ‘clawback’ provision will be put in place to capture increases in value.

4.  Land at Zion Place

This site was subject to a long lease at £500 per year until 2070. The land would be sold subject to this lease and an adjacent site had already been identified for disposal. The two sites would be packaged together for sale.

Members were further advised that properties which were recommended for disposal through the community asset transfer framework included the following:

1.  Alpha Road Birchington;

2.  Birchington Memorial Ground.

It was intended that these sites should remain as recreational/amenity land but transferred to the Birchington Parish Council. Restrictive covenants would be put in place to ensure future public uses of the sites.

Those properties recommended for transfer under the asset of community value process under the Localism Act 2011 were as detailed below:

1.  Old Lookout Broadstairs

The maintenance of this building has been supported by the Broadstairs and Harbour seafront group for some time. The asset does not produce much return and it would benefit from continued community management and maintenance.

The Council had received an asset of community value ‘right to bid’ application. The property was therefore recommended for disposal through that process.

Councillor Townend and Councillor Johnston spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1.

After the deliberations, Councillor Gregory proposed, Councillor Game seconded and Cabinet agreed the following:

1.  To progress the following property and land through the disposal framework to achieve a capital receipt:

  i.  Hartsdown Land and Property Plot 1;

  ii.  40 Hawley Square, Margate;

  iii.  Land at Hartsdown  ...  view the full minutes text for item 502