Issue - meetings

This report requests that Council declares surplus the Balfour Centre site, Pattens Lane, Rochester and delegates authority to the Assistant Director Legal and Corporate Services in consultation with the Leader to dispose of the property.

Discussion:

This report requested that the Council declare surplus the Balfour Site, Pattens Lane Rochester and delegate authority to the Assistant Director Legal and Corporate Services in consultation with the Leader of the Council to dispose of the property.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin supported by the Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, Councillor Brake proposed the recommendations in the report.

Decision: 

The Council:

a)            Declares the Balfour site surplus to requirements.

b)            Delegates authority to the Assistant Director of Legal and Corporate Services in consultation with the Leader of the Council to:

·                 Dispose of the property upon the best terms reasonably obtainable.

·                 Utilise, if necessary, the Council’s disposal powers under circular 06/03 Local Government Act 1972 General Disposal Consent (England) 2003, provided the transaction satisfies the consent order’s conditions and does not breach state aid rules.

Background:

This report proposed that the Balfour Centre site, Pattens Lane, Rochester be declared surplus. As the value of the property was possibly over £1 million the disposal was a matter for Full Council.

The report and accompanying plan explained how the site had previously been used for the day element of the Council’s Enhanced Care Service (which had now re-located to Robert Bean Lodge, Rochester) and was used for a day centre operated by Medway Community Healthcare CIC (MCH). The background as to MCH’s use of the site was explained and it was noted that their short term non-secure lease was due to expire on 31 December 2015.

In relation to the options for the site it was noted that the Council could either retain the Balfour Centre site, with the inherent holding costs, or dispose of its interest and realise a capital receipt.

It was proposed that the Balfour Centre site be declared surplus and, if satisfactory terms could be agreed, it could be sold to MCH. When considering this item Members discussed the protection of the Council’s interests in this site.

Reasons:

To realise capital receipts and to reduce revenue costs.