Decision details

Decision:

To agree to authorise the disposal of 50 Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, Maidstone, ME19 4AF and delegate authority to:

1.    The Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, tofinalise the contractual terms of the disposal.

2.    The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of necessary contractual and land agreements required to implement the above.

Reason for the decision:

Proposed property disposal in line with the Council’s statutory and fiduciary duties and over £1million which requires a key decision.

Background:

The freehold asset 50 Gibson Drive is a c.18,000 sq ft 2-storey building on a site of about 1.9 acres. This former laboratory/office building is currently being used by Kent County Council (KCC) for temporary furniture storage and other storage following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was last used as a laboratory and office building in 2016 when Sekisui Diagnostics (UK) Ltd (formerly Genzyme) terminated the lease.  The site also includes parking for 51 cars.

This asset was declared surplus to KCC’s requirements and was subsequently identified for disposal. A comprehensive marketing exercise has been undertaken and the bidding process will be concluded in January 2022. Following which a preferred bidder will be identified with the transaction progressed to enable the disposal of the site.

A decision is sought to approve the disposal of the site and to delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure to finalise the terms of the transaction and enable the disposal of the site.

How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’:

• Securing a capital receipt to fund the capital programme as set out in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.
• Streamline the Council’s property portfolio.
• Achieve financial and efficiency benefits in line with appropriate policy.

As Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to authorise the disposal of 50 Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, Maidstone, ME19 4AF and delegate authority to:

1. The Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the contractual terms of the disposal.

2. The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of necessary contractual and land agreements required to implement the above.