Decision:
To agree for the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to finalise and enter into all necessary legal and other documentation with one or more parties to optimise Kent County Council’s land holdings position at Langton Land, Canterbury.
Reason for the decision:
Proposed optimisation of the Land and Langton Lane in line with Council’s s.123 best consideration obligations to protect its commercial interests.
Background:
c.14.28 acres of Council owned agricultural land surplus to Kent County Council (KCC) requirements, allocated for residential development under current Local Plan. Local NHS Trust, East Kent Hospital University Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) have identified part of the KCC land along with adjacent land owned by Canterbury City Council (CCC), to expand its Kent & Canterbury Hospital.
A Key Decision (No. 21/00060) was taken in August 2021 which gave authority for the land to be included in the NHS Trust’s hospital procurement exercise, leading to a conditional contractual obligation to sell to the successful bidder at market value, reflecting current planning allocation within a defined timeframe (with a longstop date of July 2024 for the Trust to complete the procurement of its developer partner).
Decisions have yet to be made by the NHS as to any funding or location of any new facility. KCC are required to optimise the value of its land both as part of any hospital procurement and in the event that the hospital transaction does not proceed.
How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes:
Maximising the return to the Council which can be reinvested in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Canterbury City South; Canterbury South;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 16/03/2022
Anticipated restriction: Part exempt - View reasons
Explanation of anticipated restriction:
supporting information contains commercially-sensitive information
Decision due: Not before 14th Apr 2022 by Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services
Reason: in order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services
Lead director: Rebecca Spore
Department: Strategic & Corporate Services
Contact: Simon Dodd, Investment and Development Consultant 03000 416976 Email: simon.dodd@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The proposed decision was discussed and endorsed by the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee on 24 March 2022.
Financial implications: anticipated transaction in excess of £1m in line with Council’s s.123 best consideration obligations. The optimisation of the site will enable a greater capital receipt to the Council which will be reinvested in the priorities as set out in the Medium-Term Financial Plan capital programme. The financial implications will be set out in detail in the exempt report.
Legal implications: Legal documentation will be actioned to implement the transaction(s). An external legal advisors will be appointed in consultation with the Office of General Counsel.
Equalities implications: Not applicable. As part of this authority process and in the handling of personal data and conveyancing Data Protection is observed.