Proposed decision:
To agree to the disposal of the property, the former Laleham Gap School and playing field, Southcliffe Parade, Broadstairs CT10 1TJ 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; and
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 value, a key decision is required as per the Kent County Council’s constitution.
Background
The site is a former school building and playing field. It has been declared surplus by the Council as it is no longer required for operational purposes. The school was relocated to a new purpose-built facility on another site.
The Council intends to progress with the disposal of the site in line with its adopted Freehold Asset Disposal Policy. The site has been allocated for housing within the Local Plan and initial advice provided from agents regarding anticipated values indicates that a key decision is required.
Consent has been sought and gained from the Secretary of State for Education, allowing Kent County Council to progress with a disposal, given the former education use of the site.
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.
The property is not required for the Council’s operational purposes and has been considered surplus to education needs following the relocation of the school to the new site. Since vacation of the school site, alternative service needs were considered and none have been identified. 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: Broadstairs;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 15/11/2022
Anticipated restriction: Part exempt - View reasons
Explanation of anticipated restriction:
Supporting documentation will include an exempt report which will contain information considered to be commercially sensitive in relation to the Council’s financial affairs.
Decision due: Not before 22nd Feb 2023 by Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services
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, Programme Manager (Strategic Programmes) Email: Hugh.D’Alton@kent.gov.uk 03000 41 88 35 Email: Hugh.D'Alton@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The proposed decision was considered and endorsed by the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee on 23 November 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 Counsel.
Equalities implications: An equalities impact assessment will be performed, however, no direct equalities implications are anticipated to arise from the disposal of the site as the decision has no service impact. Data Protection implications: As part of this approval process and in the handling of marketing and conveyancing of the site, data protection regulations will be observed.