To consider a report of the Executive Member Economy and Regeneration and the Corporate Director for Place.

NOTE: An associated paper is to be considered in Part II of the agenda.

1)    That the outcome of the 2022/23 Land Sales Programme Disposals be noted.

2)    That the Disposal Programme for 2023/24 as set out in the report be approved and the sites that have been earmarked for disposal / development be noted.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place to:

a)    negotiate and accept bids in consultation with the Director of Finance and Systems and Corporate Director for Governance and Community Strategy for all sites listed on the Land Review Programme.

b)    engage external resources where this will assist in implementing the programme, including a professional team where reasonably required to support a development project.

c)    Commission, submit and/or authorise as appropriate:
i) any applications for planning permission on any properties included in the programme where this will assist in marketing and/or add value, or in any case where the Council is proposing to redevelop the site whether directly or in partnership with another party.

ii) any surveys/investigations where such surveys will reduce the risks associated with redevelopment, add value to the capital receipt /revenue return and/or assist with the preparation, submission and resolution of any planning permission application, or any other usual pre-development survey or investigation.

iii) any feasibility study or design for the site and or premises in association with either obtaining a planning consent or as part of options appraisal
iv) any demolitions or physical alterations that will either reduce the risks associated with holding the premises or accelerate the sale/redevelopment and/or add value to the capital receipt/revenue return.

d)    offset eligible disposal costs against capital receipts in accordance with capital regulations.

e)    advertise the intention to dispose of a site in the event that it comprises open space as defined by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, in Page 2 of 10 accordance with the relevant statutory procedure, and if any objections are received, to refer to the relevant portfolio holder for consideration in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Regulatory Services.

f)      acquire adjacent land or property where the acquisition will either add value to the overall development or de-risk the disposal/development of the Council asset.

g)    in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration and the Director of Finance and Systems, to add or substitute sites into the programme during the year including sites with a value of over £499,999.

h)    Transfer sites from Category 1 to Category 2, and vice versa.

i)      commission security services.

j)      authorise alternative methods of disposal where appropriate.

k)    authorise community engagement and consultations where the Corporate Director deems it necessary or advantageous.

l)      In relation to any site currently in development or any site which commences development during this programme, agree any licence or approve the grant of any easement or lease or any other disposal, including where that disposal taken in isolation would constitute a disposal at undervalue, which is designed or intended to implement or facilitate the development.

m)  In relation to the Brown Street and former Sale Magistrates sites, authorise a marketing, pricing and disposal strategy and authorise the sale of plots, either individually or in blocks, including where the anticipated or actual capital receipt exceeds £499,999.

4)    That the Director of Legal and Governance in consultation with the Corporate Director of Place and, where appropriate, the Director for Finance and Systems, be authorised to finalise and enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.

The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration introduced the report that was part of the annual Finance work. The report contained the strategic Land review programme and the Committee were reminded that there was a related report within Part II of the meeting which contained additional details. The report listed disposal notifications some of which would be known to the Committee as they had been on the list in previous years.

Following the introduction Councillor Whetton asked about the Jubilee Centre as the local community association had raised concerns about the lack of consultation regarding the possibility of building a replacement community centre. The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration thanked Councillor Whetton for his question and agreed to discuss the topic with him after the meeting.

Councillor Blackburn asked whether a time frame for consultation could be given for one of the items in Table 2 of the report. In response to Councillor Blackburn the Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration said she would provide the details after the meeting.

Councillor Jerrome welcomed the progress on the Stokoe site and asked if a timeline for planning proposal could be shared. The Executive Member for Economy and regeneration agreed to share the information after the meeting.

Following the questions, the Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration moved the recommendations of the report, which were seconded by the Leader, and approved.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the outcome of the 2022/23 Land Sales Programme Disposals be noted.

2)    That the Disposal Programme for 2023/24 as set out in the report be approved and the sites that have been earmarked for disposal / development be noted.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place to:

a)    negotiate and accept bids in consultation with the Director of Finance and Systems and Corporate Director for Governance and Community Strategy for all sites listed on the Land Review Programme.

b)    engage external resources where this will assist in implementing the programme, including a professional team where reasonably required to support a development project.

c)    Commission, submit and/or authorise as appropriate:
i) any applications for planning permission on any properties included in the programme where this will assist in marketing and/or add value, or in any case where the Council is proposing to redevelop the site whether directly or in partnership with another party.

ii) any surveys/investigations where such surveys will reduce the risks associated with redevelopment, add value to the capital receipt /revenue return and/or assist with the preparation, submission and resolution of any planning permission application, or any other usual pre-development survey or investigation.

iii) any feasibility study or design for the site and or premises in association with either obtaining a planning consent or as part of options appraisal
iv) any demolitions or physical alterations that will either reduce the risks associated with holding the premises or accelerate the sale/redevelopment and/or add value to the capital receipt/revenue return.

d)    offset eligible disposal costs against capital receipts in accordance with capital regulations.

e)    advertise the intention to dispose of a site in the event that it comprises open space as defined by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, in Page 2 of 10 accordance with the relevant statutory procedure, and if any objections are received, to refer to the relevant portfolio holder for consideration in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Regulatory Services.

f)      acquire adjacent land or property where the acquisition will either add value to the overall development or de-risk the disposal/development of the Council asset.

g)    in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration and the Director of Finance and Systems, to add or substitute sites into the programme during the year including sites with a value of over £499,999.

h)    Transfer sites from Category 1 to Category 2, and vice versa.

i)      commission security services.

j)      authorise alternative methods of disposal where appropriate.

k)    authorise community engagement and consultations where the Corporate Director deems it necessary or advantageous.

l)      In relation to any site currently in development or any site which commences development during this programme, agree any licence or approve the grant of any easement or lease or any other disposal, including where that disposal taken in isolation would constitute a disposal at undervalue, which is designed or intended to implement or facilitate the development.

m)  In relation to the Brown Street and former Sale Magistrates sites, authorise a marketing, pricing and disposal strategy and authorise the sale of plots, either individually or in blocks, including where the anticipated or actual capital receipt exceeds £499,999.

4)    That the Director of Legal and Governance in consultation with the Corporate Director of Place and, where appropriate, the Director for Finance and Systems, be authorised to finalise and enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.