Issue - meetings

                 Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Phil Alford, Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Assets and Asset transfer presented the report which provided detail about (i) capital receipts targets for the last three years and the new targets for the next two financial years; and (ii) confirmed the freehold interest in assets to be declared surplus and reviewed to determine the best financial return for the Council.

A statement was received from Colin Gale on behalf of Rushall Parish Council.

The Leader acknowledged that the statement has received a written response which had been published on the Council’s website prior to the meeting. He also confirmed that a further comment was received from the Parish Council prior to the Cabinet meeting, which was circulated to Cabinet members and can be viewed in the updated Supplement 1 here.

Cllr Ian Thorn raised a question about the disposal of assets and the possibility of capital receipts to fund revenue activities.  Cllr Alford and officers confirmed that this action was possible as long as the revenue activity is associated with transformation of services that deliver savings across the public sector and it had to be clear in terms of the business case. The facility has been used over a number of years and formed part of the budget setting process, through Cabinet, Overview & Scrutiny via the Financial Planning Task Group and finally by Full Council.

Cllr Gordon King commented on the proposal for land north of Bitham Park, Westbury to be declared surplus, highlighting that it could be considered a suitable development for social housing by Stone Circle. Cllr King reported that Westbury’s Neighbourhood Plan Team has subsequently earmarked the land as a potential location for a community land trust, and he had provided the Team with the appropriate details in order to express an interest.

Resolved:

1.    That Members note the position in respect of disposals for financial years 2021/22 and the projected receipts for 2022-4.

2.    That Members confirm that freehold interest of the 4 assets can be sold by the Council.

3.    Authorise the Director for Housing and Commercial to dispose of the freehold interest in the assets or in his absence the Corporate Director - Resources

Reason for Decision:

To note the current position in respect of capital receipts and the new targets  for the next two financial years and confirm the freehold interest in the assets can be sold to either generate capital receipts in support of the Council’s capital programme or reuse to generate income for the Council.