Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval for an addition of £4,400,000 to the Capital Programme, to fund improvements at Rochester Airport.

Discussion:

This report set out proposals for the approval for an addition of £4,400,000 to the Capital Programme, to fund improvements at Rochester Airport. The report also sought delegated authority for officers, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, to enter into contracts in respect of the works at the Airport and to declare land surplus, so that it could be disposed of for development.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Deputy Leader, Councillor Jarrett, supported by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Rodney Chambers, proposed the recommendations in the report.

Councillor Murray, supported by Councillor Griffiths, proposed an amendment to the recommendations:

Delete 9.1.1 and replace with the following:

Defer the decision to spend funds on improvements to Rochester Airport until after the public consultation on the Airport Masterplan has been completed and analysed.

In accordance with rule 11.4 of the Council Rules at the request of six Members, a recorded vote on the amendment was requested.

For – Councillors Bowler, Colman, Cooper, Craven, Gilry, Christine Godwin, Paul Godwin, Griffiths, Hubbard, Igwe, Juby, Kearney, Maple, Murray, Osborne, Price, Shaw, Smith and Stamp (19)

Against – Councillors Avey, Baker, Brake, Bright, Carr, Mrs Diane Chambers, Rodney Chambers, Chishti, Chitty, Clarke, Doe, The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Etheridge, Griffin, Adrian Gulvin, Pat Gulvin, Hewett, Hicks, The Worshipful The Mayor, Councillor Iles, Irvine, Jarrett, Mackinlay, Maisey, Mason, O’Brien, Rodberg, Royle, Tolhurst, Turpin, Watson, Wicks and Wildey (31)

Abstain – (0)

On being put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

Following a question from a Member as to whether voting on the substantive motion amounted to pre-determination on the future consideration of the Rochester Airport Masterplan, the Monitoring Officer confirmed that Members could vote on the substantive motion.

In accordance with rule 11.4 of the Council Rules at the request of six Members, a recorded vote on the substantive motion was requested.

For - Councillors Avey, Baker, Brake, Bright, Carr, Mrs Diane Chambers, Rodney Chambers, Chishti, Chitty, Clarke, Doe, The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Etheridge, Griffin, Adrian Gulvin, Pat Gulvin, Hewett, Hicks, The Worshipful The Mayor, Councillor Iles, Irvine, Jarrett, Mackinlay, Maisey, Mason, O’Brien, Royle, Tolhurst, Turpin, Watson, Wicks and Wildey (30)  

Against - Councillors Bowler, Colman, Cooper, Craven, Gilry, Christine Godwin, Paul Godwin, Griffiths, Hubbard, Igwe, Kearney, Maple, Murray, Osborne, Price, Shaw, Smith and Stamp (18)

Abstain – Councillor Juby (1).

Decision:

a)     The Council agreed to add £4,400,000 to the capital programme to fund improvements at Rochester Airport. This is made up from £4,000,000 as a contribution towards the works, which the airport operator will carry out and the balance of £400,000 is to fund professional fees and works on the council’s retained land.

b)     The Council agreed to delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Legal and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, to declare land surplus at the Airport so that it can be disposed of for development on the best terms reasonably obtainable.

c)      The Council agreed to delegate authority to the Assistant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 233

Background:

This report recommended the addition of £4,400,000 to the Capital Programme to fund improvements at Rochester Airport. It also requested authority for officers to enter into contracts in respect of the works at the Airport and to declare land surplus, so that it could be disposed of for development. Approval of these matters was a matter for Full Council and would be referred to the meeting on 25 July 2013.

It was noted that since the Cabinet meeting on 18 December 2013 the Council had marketed the opportunity to let the airport and a preferred bidder had been selected. The report included details of the negotiations on the terms for the new letting of the airport and outlined the options for implementing development on the freed up land. It was reported that future use of the land would be determined through the Council’s planning process.

It was also noted that a separate report on the agenda sought agreement for consultation on a Master Plan to guide the development of the airport and surrounding land.

Reasons:

To safeguard the long-term future sustainability of the airport, to secure the improvement of the airport to provide a modern facility with improved public access and heritage offer and to release additional employment land, whilst meeting the Council’s legal and fiduciary duties.