Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval to the acquisition of a depot site and all necessary fees and works to the Capital Programme.

Discussion:

This report provided details of Cabinet’s decisions on 9 April 2019 in relation to acquiring a depot site for use in connection with the Waste Collection and Cleansing Services, given that the existing contractor had advised that they wished to retain their own depot facilities (Pier Road) for their own commercial use and would not be letting the Council or its contractors use the facilities.

The report stated that the Council was recommended to add this scheme to the Capital Programme. In addition, there was a constitutional requirement that Cabinet decisions relating to land and property transactions over £500,000 must be reported to the next Council meeting for information.

An exempt appendix provided detailed costs of acquisition and the enabling works needed.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin, supported by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jarrett, proposed the recommendation set out in the report.

In accordance with Rule 12.4 of the Council Rules, a recorded vote on the proposal was taken.

For – Councillors Aldous, Avey, Bhutia, Bowler, Brake, Mrs Diane Chambers, Rodney Chambers OBE, Chishti, Chitty, Clarke, Cooper, Doe, Etheridge, Fearn, Filmer, Gilry, Griffin, Griffiths, Gulvin, Mrs Josie Iles, Steve Iles, Jarrett, Johnson, Joy, Kemp, Khan, Mackness, Maple, McDonald, Murray, Opara, Osborne, Paterson, Potter, Price, Purdy, Royle, Saroy, Shaw, Stamp, Tejan, Tranter, Turpin, Wicks, Wildey and Williams (46)

Against – Councillor Freshwater (1)

Note: Councillors Godwin, Howard and Pendergast were not present for the recorded vote.

On being put to the vote, the proposal was carried.

Decision:

The Council agreed to add up to £9M to the capital programme to acquire a suitable site for a depot, including relevant professional fees, obtain any necessary consents and carry out works.

Background:

This report detailed options available in relation to acquiring a depot site for use in connection with the Waste Collection and Cleansing Services.  At its meeting on 6 March 2018 the Cabinet agreed to let the Waste Collection and Cleansing contract to Medway Norse, when the existing contract was due to end on 30 September 2019.

The report informed the Cabinet that the existing contractor had advised that they wished to retain their own depot facilities for their own commercial use and would not be letting the Council or its contractors use the facilities. It also provided detail of the current depot available to Medway Norse which was insufficient in size to accommodate these services, as well as the service it was already contracted by the Council to provide. 

The report was accompanied by an exempt appendix which provided overall projected costs of acquisition and the enabling works needed.

Reasons:

To give the Council more flexibility and security in terms of the letting of the waste collection and cleansing contract and to obtain a rental income from the letting of the site.