Agenda item

This report seeks approval of the disposal of the council assets specified in Appendix A and exempt Appendix E, which have been identified following analysis of the council’s estate.

Note: The Committee agreed to defer this report.

The Committee considered a report (agenda item 9) seeking approval of the disposal of particular council assets which had been identified following analysis of the Council’s estate.

It was noted that this was a key decision report, as the proposed decision involved spend of more than £500k and had a significant impact on more than 2 wards.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. It was noted that the report included an exempt appendix (Appendix E, relating to matters of commercial sensitivity) and that, in the event that any member wished to raise a question or matter specifically in relation to the exempt information, it would be necessary for the Committee to move into exempt session.

2. In response to questions, it was confirmed that the 2024/25 budget approved by the Full Council included specific proposals to generate a target figure of £21.6m in capital receipts and make £440k revenue savings in 2024/25 in relation to the council’s asset base.  Progress against this target was kept under constant review; it was currently estimated that approx. £15m would be generated in-year against the target figure.

3. Cllr Renhard noted that the Property Working Group (as established at the 16 September meeting of the Committee) would be carrying out and concluding their work in December.  Given this, it was the view of Labour group members that it would be appropriate for the Committee to defer the report at this point, on the basis that it was premature for the Committee to take decisions on assets for disposal just before the working group began their work.

In response to this point, the Director: Finance advised that the report had been prepared in line with the Council’s current policies; the Council would need to utilise these capital receipts either in the current financial year or in the next year in order to meet its costs.

Following further discussion, Cllr Renhard moved:

‘That the report be deferred.’

This was seconded by Cllr Rippington.

On being put to the vote, the motion was lost (3 members voting in favour and 6 against).

Cllr Goulandris indicated that he wished to ask particular questions which related to the information included within exempt appendix E to the report. It was noted that other members might also wish to raise questions in relation to the exempt appendix.

On the motion of the Chair, seconded by Cllr Gooch, the Committee then RESOLVED:

That under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the business to be discussed is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Act.

Whilst the Committee was in exempt session, members asked questions about and discussed the detail included in the exempt appendix.

Once the discussion in exempt session had concluded, the Committee went back into public session and the meeting was re-opened for members of the public to observe proceedings.

On the motion of Cllr Renhard, seconded by Cllr Rippington, the Committee RESOLVED (unanimously):

- To defer the report.