Decision details

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth presented the report which recommended that New Summerseat House in Ramsbottom is disposed of via auction. The site is part of the Asset Transformation Programme (formerly the Accelerated Land and Property Disposal programme) and has been vacant for many years. The disposal of this site will bring forward the restoration of this listed building, end problems caused to local residents by the empty building attracting anti-social behaviour and remove ongoing liabilities to the Council for security and maintenance.

Decision:

The Cabinet:

1.    Noted the intention to dispose of New Summerseat House via auction subject to the auction reaching the reserve price.

2.    Delegated the agreement of the reserve price to the Director of Law and Democratic Services and the Executive Director (Place).

3.    Delegated the final signing of all contracts required to complete the transaction to the Director of Law and Democratic services. It should be noted that when the gavel falls a binding legal agreement is formed with an obligation to complete usually within 20 working days.

Reason for the decision:

To bring forward the sale of New Summerseat house in a timely manner thereby reducing ongoing liabilities to the Council and to bring the site forward for redevelopment.

Other options considered and rejected:

Option 1 – Do nothing

In this scenario the property would be left vacant, its condition would further deteriorate, and the property would continue to attract anti-social behaviour. The Council would be responsible for ongoing security and maintenance costs. This option would not ensure the renovation of the listed building and possible redevelopment of the site. As such, this option has been discounted.

Option 2 – Dispose at auction

This option would see the property asset disposed of in a timely manner with a capital receipt received in the summer of 2025. The disposal will remove the ongoing liabilities to the Council for security and maintenance and bring the site and listed building forward for redevelopment.