Decision:
To authorise the disposal of the property, the former Conningbrook Depot, Kennington Road, Ashford TN24 0LS 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 terms of the disposal.
2. The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of all necessary or desirable documentation required to implement the above.
Reason for the decision:
The property is surplus to the Council’s operational requirements and due to the values requires a key decision as per Kent County Council’s constitution.
Background:
The site is a former landscape services depot. It has been declared surplus by the Council as it is no longer required for operational purposes.
The Council intends to openly market the site. Advice provided from agents regarding anticipated values, indicates that a key decision is required.
A decision is sought to authorise disposal of the site and to delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure to finalise the terms subject to consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.
Options:
The Council has an overarching duty under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 to secure not less than best consideration in respect of property disposals. It also has a fiduciary duty to the residents of Kent.
As the property is not required for the Council’s operational purposes, the only alternative option would be to seek a tenant and gain a rental income stream from the asset. However, this approach does not align with the Council’s investment strategy and a disposal provides an opportunity to reinvest capital in agreed priorities, as set out in the Council’s Capital Programme.
How the proposed decision supports the Interim Strategic Plan:
By securing a capital receipt to fund the Capital Programme and to streamline the Council’s property portfolio to achieve financial and efficiency benefits in line with appropriate policy.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Ashford Rural East;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 06/07/2022
Anticipated restriction: Part exempt - View reasons
Explanation of anticipated restriction:
supporting paperwork includes some commercially-sensitive information.
Decision due: Not before 4th Aug 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: Hugh D'Alton, Investment and Disposal Surveyor Email: Hugh.D'Alton@kent.gov.uk.
Consultation process
The proposed decision was discussed and endorsed by the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee on 13 July 2022.
Financial implications: The sale of the property will result in a capital receipt which will be reinvested back into the Council’s Capital Programme. The disposal of the property will remove holding costs associated with the property easing pressure on revenue budgets.
Legal implications: External legal advisors will be appointed in consultation with General Council.
Equalities implications: Equalities implications There are no direct equalities implications arising from the disposal of the site. Data Protection implications: As part of this approval process and in the handling of marketing/conveyancing of the site Data Protection regulations will be observed.