Agenda and minutes

To note that:

-       Mr D Farrell has replaced Ms K Constantine on the Sub-Committee

-       There is a vacancy following the death of Mr K Gregory

It was noted that Mr D Farrell had joined the sub-committee in place of Ms K Constantine and that the death of Mr K Gregory had resulted in a vacancy on the sub-committee.

To receive apologies for absence and notification of any substitutes present

Apologies for absence had been received from Mr N J D Chard.

Mr D L Brazier was present as a substitute for Mr Chard.  

In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, Members are requested to declare any interests at the start of the meeting. Members are reminded to specify the agenda item number to which it refers and the nature of the interest being declared

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider and approve the minutes as a correct record

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2017 are correctly recorded and they be signed by the Chairman. There were no matters arising.

To note that the following dates have been reserved for meetings of the Sub-Committee in 2018/19:

Thursday 1 March 2018 - 2.00 pm

Friday 15 June 2018 - 2.00 pm

Friday 12 October 2018 – 2.00 pm

Friday 8 February 2019 – 2.00 pm

All meetings will take place at Sessions House, County Hall.

It was noted that the following dates had been reserved for meetings of the sub-committee in 2018/19:

Thursday 1 March 2018 - 2.00 pm

Friday 15 June 2018 - 2.00 pm

Friday 12 October 2018 – 2.00 pm

Friday 8 February 2019 – 2.00 pm

All meetings would take place at Sessions House, County Hall.  

As the first three items of business included both unrestricted and exempt information, the Chairman suggested that a brief introduction to each of the three reports be made in open session to give Members the opportunity to ask any questions they wished to on the unrestricted information.  This approach was agreed and the Cabinet Member and officers then gave very brief introductions to the reports for agenda items 6, 7 and 8. 

Members confirmed that the questions they wished to ask and comments they wished to make in respect of these items related to the information contained in the exempt appendices to each. Accordingly, it was agreed that the meeting then move to a closed session.  

The Sub-Committee RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

1.            Ms Seal and Mrs Spore responded to questions of detail from Members on the information set out in the exempt papers, including the bids received, the process of due diligence in assessing the credibility of bidders and the planning process for the re-development of the site.

2.            It was RESOLVED that the decision proposed to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services, to sell the property and authorise the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services, to finalise the terms of the sale with one of the bidders and complete the transaction, be endorsed.

1.            Ms Seal and Mrs Spore responded to questions of detail from Members on the information set out in the exempt papers, including the security of the site and the possible reasons for the site remaining unused for such a long period of time.

2.            It was RESOLVED that the decision proposed to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services, to sell the property in line with the heads of terms agreed with a preferred bidder, and authorise the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services, to finalise the terms of the sale and complete the transaction, be endorsed.

1.            Ms Ripley and Mrs Spore responded to questions of detail from Members on the information set out in the exempt papers, including how the County Council’s contract management process operated and was reviewed. 

2.            It was RESOLVED that the current performance of the Total Facilities Management contractors be noted.

1.            Ms Ripley and Mrs Spore responded to questions of detail from Members on the information set out in the exempt report, including the complexity of the project and the financial arrangements relating to the transfer of the various parts of the site.

2.            Members commented on the length of time taken for the project to reach its present stage and hoped that it would soon reach fruition.

3.            It was RESOLVED that the current position in respect of the delivery of the Southborough Hub Project be noted.