Decision details

Proposed decision:

 The Deputy Leader to agree to:

1.    Approve the sale of the property for £1.523m under the auction terms and conditions;

2.    Confirm the Director of Infrastructure’s decision under delegated authority to dispose of the property known as Gravesend Adult Education Centre, Darnley Road, Gravesend DA11 0RX, noting that the property’s performance at auction exceeded the delegated limit underpinning the original disposal plan; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader, to finalise the sale and take other actions including but not limited to, entering into relevant contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement this decision

Reason for the decision:

Under competitive tension, as part of an auction sale, the property sold for a figure exceeding the £1m threshold and so now requires a key decision, which was not previously anticipated. Due to the timescales involved in the property transaction an urgent key decision is sought.

Background

The former Gravesend Adult Education Centre, Darnley Road, Gravesend DA11 0RX had been approved for sale via delegated management of the property portfolio, in accordance with the Asset Disposal Policy. Authority was in place to support the sale via auction of the property as the price was expected to fall well within the normal delegated limits under the Property Management Protocol. The property went to auction on the 11 December 2025. The hammer price achieved was £1,523,000, exceeding the limits of the £1m officer delegation; urgent authority is needed to regularise the governance position in respect of the previous delegated decision. Due to the timescales involved the decision is following the urgent decision pathway.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

This is a decision to regularise KCC’s Governance requirements. Not doing so would render the delegated decision that this refers to ultra vires.

How the proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement

The proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement by raising capital for reinvestment to enable KCC to deliver improvements to visible community and infrastructure services, whilst also streamlining KCC’s property portfolio, contributing towards the reduction of KCCs’ debt burden and releasing monies back into front line services.

As Deputy Leader, I agree to:

1.    Approve the sale of the property for £1.523m under the auction terms and conditions;

2.    Confirm the Director of Infrastructure’s decision under delegated authority to dispose of the property known as Gravesend Adult Education Centre, Darnley Road, Gravesend DA11 0RX, noting that the property’s performance at auction exceeded the delegated limit underpinning the original disposal plan; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader, to finalise the sale and take other actions including but not limited to, entering into relevant contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement this decision.