Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies as all members of the Committee were in attendance. 

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Cabinet (Capital Assets) Committee meeting held on 15 November 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2016 were presented.

Resolved

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2016.

The Leader announced that the meeting would be webcast today.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public. This meeting is open to the public , who may ask a question or make a statement. Questions can also be asked by members of the Council. Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Will Oulton of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on Thursday 12^th January 2017. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

The Leader invited Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe to respond verbally to the questions received from Councillor John Knight, Richard Hames, Anne Henshaw, Kim Stuckey, Nick Murry and Stephen Eades.

A copy of the questions and responses is appended to these minutes.

 Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director.

 Councillor Laura Mayes presented the report which asked the meeting to agree the Schools Capital Investment Programme for 2017- 2020. In giving her presentation, Councillor Mayes thanked the officers for their hard work.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the progress made with the current programme; the limited funding available from central government; how officers maximise contributions from developers; and how work is prioritised.

Resolved

1.    To note the status of March 2014 approved school capital schemes as shown at Appendix A (all complete).

2.    To note the updated (previously approved) School Capital Programme as shown at Appendix B.

3.    To consider and approve the proposed new Basic Need schemes subject to planning approval and completed S106 negotiations as at Appendix C.

4.    To approve the Schools Planned Maintenance Programme totalling £2.5M for 2017/18 as outlined at Appendix D and to agree that a further £2.0M be held pending identified priorities for 2018/19.

5.    To approve the Condition (Improvements) and Mobile Classroom Replacement Programme for 2017/18 as outlined at Appendix E.

6.    To authorise the Corporate Director for Children Services to invite and evaluate tenders for the projects described in this report, and, following consultation with the cabinet member, to award the contract for the project (subject to approval of any necessary statutory proposals) and to authorise, in consultation with the Head of Strategic Asset & FM (or the Asset Portfolio Manager (Estates), in accordance with the relevant scheme of sub-delegation (under paragraph 7 of Part 3B of Wiltshire Council’s constitution)), the acquisition of all land (and the completion of any legal documentation) reasonably required in order to facilitate the Schools Capital Investment Programme.

Reason for Decision:

The Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places to meet the demand arising across Wiltshire, whether from demographic or population change, strategic housing development growth and the Army Re-Basing programme. The approved Wiltshire School Places Strategy 2015- 2020 and its Implementation Plan identifies the priority basic need schemes requiring capital investment in the short, medium and longer term and this updated proposed Schools Capital Investment Programme will enable the priority works to be progressed. The Council also has Landlord responsibilities for the effective management and maintenance of the schools (for which the Council is responsible) estate and the investment programme will enable urgent and priority repairs and maintenance projects to proceed.

 Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director.

Councillor Toby Sturgis presented the report which sought approval for officers to add the rural estate property in the Sedgehill area to the list of properties scheduled for disposal on the open market.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the condition of the property; the current use of the property; and whether the investing in the property was preferable to its sale.

Resolved

1.    To declare the rural estate property in Sedgehill area as Surplus so that it can be sold on the open market.

2.    To further delegate specific decisions on the lotting of the property, method of sale, negotiations with outgoing tenants and interim management arrangements to the Associate Director for People and Business in consultation with Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, Strategic Housing, Operational Property and Waste.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the sale of the Council’s rural estate property in the Sedgehill area as Surplus in order to generate capital receipts which will contribute to the

Council’s Capital programme and Treasury Management Plan and to divest the Council of assets which have a high cost repairing liability in relation to their revenue potential.

 Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director.

Cllr Fleur de Rhé-Philipe presented the report which asked the meeting to consider whether to declare seven assets surplus and authorise their sale at or above market value.

The Leader invited any additional questions regarding the specific assets.

In response to a question from Councillor Chris Caswill, Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe stated that the decision today was to place sites on the surplus list, and that any subsequent decision to sell any of the sites would be subject to the normal due diligence procedures at which time further consultation. Furthermore, if the land with the cycle track was to be sold, it would remain a public right of way and any decision to alter this would remain with the Council as Highways Authority.

In response to questions from Councillor Alan Macrae and Andrew Hall, the Leader stated that officers were reviewing the status of the Martingate asset and would be in touch with parties in due course. Mr Hall further reiterated his company’s commitment to refurbishing the site, and maintaining the car park, but stated that this would only be possible if they owned the freehold.

.

Resolved

1.    That members declare the seven assets listed in the report as assets held for sale.

2.    To authorise the Associate Director for People and Business, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Skills, Strategic Transport and Strategic Property and the Cabinet Member for Finance, to dispose of the assets at or above market value.

Reason for Decision:

To declare assets surplus so that they can be sold in order to generate capital

receipts in support of the council’s capital programme.

There were no urgent items.

This is to give further notice in accordance with paragraph 5 (4) and 5 (5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 of the intention to take the following item in private.

To consider passing the following resolution:

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in Items Number 11, 12 and 13 because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in  paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Reason for taking item in private:

Paragraph 3 - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Paragraph 5 - information subject to legal privilege

Resolved

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the following items of business because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3  and 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Reason for taking the item in private:

Paragraph 3 – information relating to the financial information or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Paragraph 5 - information subject to legal privilege

No representations have been received as to why this item should not be held in private.

The meeting noted the content of the report.

The meeting considered the content of the report.

Resolved

To approve the recommendations contained in the report presented with the exception of the recommendation for site two which was not adopted.

Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director.

Cllr Fleur de Rhé-Philipe presented the report which: provided an update to the committee on negotiations with the parties involved in the design and construction of the Business Centre relating to the remediation of the glazed façade; asked the Committee to consider the options available to remediate the glazed façade and propose a preferred option; and, on the basis of the preferred option, sought delegated authority to proceed with implementation of the remedial works required to ensure full operation of the Business Centre.

Resolved

To delegate authority to the Associate Director for People & Business, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Skills, Strategic Transport and Strategic Property, to appoint contractors to deliver the remedial works required for the glazed façade at Castledown Business Park, and subsequently recoup these costs from the insurers of the designers.

Reason for Decision:

To expedite delivery of the required remedial works to enable full operation of the council’s business centre at Castledown, Ludgershall, thereby maximising the benefit of the council’s existing investment and helping boost the local economy in line with council’s Business Plan 2013-17 Outcome 1.