Issue - meetings

This report informs Council of Cabinet’s decisions on 9 April 2019 in relation to the disposal of the land at the former Civic Centre site, access road and adjacent land at Jane’s Creek in Strood, in accordance with the Constitution.

Discussion:

This report provided details of Cabinet’s decisions on 9 April 2019 in relation to the disposal of the land at the former Civic Centre site, access road and adjacent land at Jane’s Creek in Strood in accordance with the constitutional requirement that Cabinet decisions relating to land and property transactions over £500,000 must be reported to the next Council meeting for information.

The Portfolio Holder for Inward Investment, Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships, Councillor Rodney Chambers OBE, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Economic Growth and Regulation, Councillor Chitty, proposed the recommendation in the report.

Councillor Khan proposed the following amendment:

“Add 9.2

Medway Council will conduct meaningful consultation with residents of Kingswear Gardens and Moat and Orbit Housing Association, and ensure they are properly informed, before future plans for Kingswear Gardens are finalised.”

In response to questions from Members relating to the validity of the amendment, the Mayor ruled it out following advice from the Chief Legal Officer that the amendment was not relevant to the business contained in the report, as required by Council Rule 11.3.1.  

Decision:

The Council noted the content of the report.

Background:

This report detailed issues relating to the redevelopment of the former Civic Centre site, access road and adjacent land at Jane’s Creek, which had significant transformational potential and was a key part of the Strood Waterfront Development Brief, which had been adopted in June 2018.

In order to maintain a high degree of control over the selection of a housing developer and ensure the delivery of a high quality development, optimising densities and speed of delivery whilst obtaining best consideration, it was proposed that an OJEU procurement process be undertaken. As such, the land needed to be appropriated under Section 122 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for planning purposes so that it could be disposed of under S233 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Reasons:

This will allow Medway to maintain control of the development of the former Civic Centre site in Strood, allowing it to be transformed into an area of prime, high quality residential development offering fantastic views of Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral and access to the River Medway.