Agenda item

This report seeks approval to add the acquisition of the head leases from Chatham LLP of the Pentagon Centre and other included freehold property and the proposed additional enabling capital works to the Capital Programme, following Cabinet’s decisions to approve these acquisitions on 12 February 2019.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the proposal to add the acquisition of the head leases from Chatham LLP of the Pentagon Centre and other included freehold properties and the proposed additional enabling capital works to the Capital Programme, following Cabinet’s decisions to approve these acquisitions on 12 February 2019.

The Mayor proposed that the press and public be excluded during consideration of any information contained in the exempt appendix to this report, as set out on page 295 of the agenda, on the basis that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information. This was agreed.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jarrett, supported by the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Councillor Stamp, supported by Councillor Osborne, proposed the following amendment:

“Add after 7.1:

This Council recommends Cabinet obtains two further independent market valuations to help ensure the valuation is accurate and the Council achieves the best possible value for money with the proposal”.

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

For – Councillors Bowler, Cooper, Craven, Freshwater, Gilry, Godwin, Griffiths, Johnson, Khan, McDonald, Murray, Osborne, Paterson, Price, Shaw and Stamp (16)

Against – Councillors Aldous, Avey, Bhutia, Brake, Mrs Diane Chambers, Rodney Chambers OBE, Chitty, Clarke, Doe, Etheridge, Fearn, Filmer, Griffin, Hall, Hicks, Mrs Josie Iles, Steve Iles, Jarrett, Joy, Kemp, Mackness, Opara, Potter, Purdy, Royle, Saroy, Tejan, Tranter, Turpin, Wicks and Wildey (31)

Note: Councillor Maple was not present for the recorded vote as he had declared an OSI and had left the meeting during consideration of this item.

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

Councillor McDonald, supported by Councillor Price, proposed the following amendment:

“Add after 7.1:

This Council recommends Cabinet to prioritise Gillingham Town Centre as Medway Council’s first bid for the Future High Streets Fund, with Chatham Town Centre to follow in the second bidding round due in 2020.”

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

For – Councillors Bowler, Cooper, Craven, Freshwater, Gilry, Godwin, Griffiths, Johnson, Khan, McDonald, Murray, Osborne, Paterson, Price, Shaw and Stamp (16)

Against – Councillors Aldous, Avey, Bhutia, Brake, Mrs Diane Chambers, Rodney Chambers OBE, Chitty, Clarke, Doe, Etheridge, Fearn, Filmer, Griffin, Hall, Hicks, Mrs Josie Iles, Steve Iles, Jarrett, Joy, Kemp, Mackness, Opara, Potter, Purdy, Royle, Saroy, Tejan, Tranter, Turpin, Wicks and Wildey (31)

Note: Councillor Maple was not present for the recorded vote as he had declared an OSI and had left the meeting during consideration of this item.

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

Councillor Murray, supported by Councillor Griffiths, proposed an amendment regarding the future of the Pentagon Centre, which following advice from the Chief Legal Officer, required the exclusion of the press and public.

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

For – Councillors Bowler, Cooper, Craven, Freshwater, Gilry, Godwin, Griffiths, Johnson, Khan, McDonald, Murray, Osborne, Paterson, Price, Shaw and Stamp (16)

Against – Councillors Aldous, Avey, Bhutia, Brake, Mrs Diane Chambers, Rodney Chambers OBE, Chitty, Clarke, Doe, Etheridge, Fearn, Filmer, Griffin, Hall, Hicks, Mrs Josie Iles, Steve Iles, Jarrett, Joy, Kemp, Mackness, Opara, Potter, Purdy, Royle, Saroy, Tejan, Tranter, Turpin, Wicks and Wildey (31)

Note: Councillor Maple was not present for the recorded vote as he had declared an OSI and had left the meeting during consideration of this item.

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

The press and public were then readmitted to the meeting.

Decision:

The Council agreed to add the acquisition of the Pentagon Centre head leases and 205-209a and 181a-189 High Street, Chatham, the fees and additional enabling capital works, to the Capital Programme, up to an overall cost of £45 million.