39 Property Asset Programme PDF 202 KB
To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the associated report.
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED –
1. To vire from the Capital and Revenue Initiatives Reserve the sum of £500,000 be used to establish a suitable budget for external consultancy services be approved.
2. That the head of Economic Development and Property in consultation with the S151 Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance be given authority to allocate funding to specific projects be approved.
3. That the head of Economic Development and Property in consultation with the S151 Officer and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance be given authority to appoint external professional advisors to deliver specific projects be approved.
4. That the establishment of a working group of Cabinet – the Property Asset Oversight Panel and associated terms of reference as detailed be approved.
REASON FOR DECISION:
To allow the delivery of capital receipts to support wider delivery of Council priorities and services.
Minutes:
David Candlin, Head of Economics, Development and Property introduced the report set out in the agenda.
Discussion and questions from Members included the following:
- The new proposed Property Asset Overview Panel (PAOP) would replace the Development Advisory Panel (DAP).
- The Constitution allowed the Council to move money from one budget heading to another budget heading. This was called virement.
RESOLVED –
1. To vire from the Capital and Revenue Initiatives Reserve the sum of £500,000 be used to establish a suitable budget for external consultancy services be approved.
2. That the Head of Economic Development and Property in consultation with the S151 Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance be given authority to allocate funding to specific projects be approved.
3. That the Head of Economic Development and Property in consultation with the S151 Officer and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance be given authority to appoint external professional advisors to deliver specific projects be approved.
4. That the establishment of a working group of Cabinet – the Property Asset Oversight Panel and associated terms of reference as detailed be approved.
REASON FOR DECISION:
To allow the delivery of capital receipts to support wider delivery of Council priorities and services.
24 Property Asset Programme PDF 203 KB
To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
David Candlin, Head of Economics, Development and Property introduced the report set out in the agenda.
Discussion and questions from Members included the following:
- The long lease that was currently in place for TN2 was no longer suitable. TWBC were now in discussion with the landowner to try and bring this forward.
- Options for the use of TN2 were also being discussed with the landowner and could include part residential or a possible medical centre.
- The Development Programme Officer Group (DOG) met on a monthly basis. The proposed Property Asset Oversight Panel would sit above this Group.
- A delegated budget for the Property Asset Oversight Panel would be set by Cabinet. Projects would then come forward to be dealt with by the Portfolio Holder, in this case the Leader of the Council.
- Final decisions on the disposal of any property remained with Cabinet and would therefore go through the normal Cabinet process.
- The Civic Complex Working Group would have oversight for the Civic Complex. The Working Group would be in the lead for this work, with the Property Asset Oversight Panel having a watching brief.
- Information related to assets would be disseminated to the appropriate Ward Members.
- Information and engagement would be done by the Property Asset Oversight Panel. At the appropriate time, and if required All Member Briefings would be arranged, especially for the disposal of any major assets (this would be alongside the normal Cabinet process).
- Materials related to meetings of the Property Asset Oversight Panel would be available to Members on request. Members would need to decide how best to ensure that information was disseminated so that Members were aware of when meetings were scheduled to take place. It would be important that the necessary Governance arrangements were in place.
- The Property Asset Oversight Panel would take the place of the Development Advisory Panel (DAP).
- Meetings of this nature (also including other panel meetings e.g. ASMOP) were held in private to allow issues including financially sensitive information to be discussed in full.
- Using the £500k for consultancy fees ensured that all the necessary skills were obtained to undertake the work required. To obtain those skills via in house recruitment would be a very big undertaking with no guarantee of success. It was very unlikely the Council would be able to secure the range of skills required.
RESOLVED – That the recommendations to Cabinet as set out in the report be supported.