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.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Implemented
Notice of proposed decision first published: 31/12/2025
Anticipated restriction: Part exempt - View reasons
Decision due: 23 Dec 2025 by Deputy Leader of the Council
Reason: This decision is subject to urgency procedure
Lead member: Deputy Leader of the Council
Lead director: Rebecca Spore
Department: Strategic & Corporate Services
Contact: Mark Cheverton, Head of Real Estate Services Email: mark.cheverton@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
No Cabinet Committee consultation possible due to the urgency process. The decision will be reported to a future Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee as a decision taken outside of the committee cycle.
Financial implications: The sale of the property will result in a capital receipt which will be reinvested back into the Councils priorities as set out in the Councils Medium Term Financial Plan which is agreed at Full Council. The disposal of the property will remove management liabilities associated with holding a vacant site and therefore ease pressure on revenue budgets.
Legal implications: 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.Disposing of the site will reduce risk of claims from the public, and reduce management risk, responsibility and liability by continuing to hold the site.External legal advisors have been appointed in consultation with KCC legal services
Equalities implications: Equalities implications An Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) has been undertaken and identified 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. The site is vacant, and no data or records are stored on site.A Data Protection Implication Assessment (DPIA) screener has confirmed that there are no DPIA implications and that a further DPIA assessment is not required in respect of this decision.