Decision details

Decision –toagree to the disposal of the sites 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 contractual terms of the disposal. 

2.    The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of necessary contractual and land agreements required to implement the above.

Reason for the decision

Proposed property disposal in line with the Council’s s.123 best consideration obligations and over £1million which requires a key decision.

Background

KCC is to dispose of the combined sites at Bensted House, Kiln Court, Osbourne Court and Former Social Enterprise Centre, Lower Road, Faversham, ME13 7NY (approximately 7 acres, split in half by Lower Road).  Facilities operating from the site closed in 2016/17, and the sites were subsequently declared surplus to operational requirements and suitable for disposal.

Comprehensive marketing has been undertaken following which bids have been received, and a preferred bidder is recommended to take forward the development.

The Kiln Court site was registered as an Asset of Community Value under the Localism Act 2011. All necessary notices have been served to the relevant authority relating to Kent County Council’s intention to dispose of the site, all relevant moratorium periods have elapsed.

A decision is now sought to finalise the terms of the disposal and authorise disposal of the site.

Options

The sites have been declared surplus by Kent County Council as such there are no operational requirements for them.

Kent County 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.

KCC appointed planning consultants to design a residential development in compliance with the local authority’s current planning and affordable housing requirements to inform prospective bids.

The sites have been openly marketed by a Kent based agent who advertised nationally in Estates Gazette. Conditional bids have been received.

How does the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’

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.

As the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to the disposal of the sites 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 contractual terms of the disposal, on the most advantageous terms for the County Council that it is able to secure; and

2. The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of necessary contractual and land agreements required to implement the above.