Issue - meetings

Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 29 July 2021 are attached.

Councillor Russell Bernstein introduced the minutes and recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 29 July 2021 which considered the call-in of the Accelerated Land and Property Disposals Programme – Phase 2.

He thanked Cabinet for their co-operation, advising that it had been a healthy debate at the meeting with a focus on community asset transfers and ensuring resources would be made available for residents and community groups.

In response, Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, reported that Cabinet welcomed this recommendation. He advised that the council was committed to support residents through the community asset transfer procedure.

It was agreed:

That the following recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be accepted:

“The Overview and Scrutiny Committee strongly support Community Asset Transfers and recommend to Cabinet that policies are reviewed and strengthened to incorporate earlier communication with residents.”

Following the receipt of a Notice of Call-in within the required deadline, from Councillor N Jones calling in the decision of the Cabinet set out in Minute CA.94 of the meeting held on the 30^th June 2021 a meeting of the Committee has been convened in order to consider the matter in accordance with the reasons set out on the Notice of Call-In.

In considering the matter, the options available to the Scrutiny Committee are as follows:

1.   The Scrutiny Committee decides not to offer any comments on the Notice. In this situation the decision of the Cabinet will stand.

2.   The Scrutiny Committee decides to offer comments or

objections, which will be referred back to the Cabinet   

3.   The Scrutiny Committee may refer the Notice, without comment, to the Council. The matter will then be considered by the Council (a standard item appears on all Council summons to consider referrals from Scrutiny Committees). Any comments or objections from Council will be referred back to the Cabinet at the earliest opportunity, in accordance with the Council Constitution.

The Cabinet will be required to consider any objections and comments but will not be bound by them unless "it is contrary to the Policy Framework or contrary to or not wholly consistent with the Budget"

A copy of the original paperwork considered by Cabinet, along with the decision Minute and Call –in notice are attached in the agenda packs.

(B)       Questions and comments from committee members

In response to the Call in and also the comments by members of the public present as well as the Leaders statement, Committee members raised the following issues:

·         Responding to Councillor Kevin Peel, the Leader of the Council reported that there is continued pressure on the Council’s revenue budget, the capital receipts generated from the sale would help to lift the burden of some of the investment needed to underpin day to day running costs, including digital infrastructure, energy efficacy roads and green spaces.

·         In response to a Councillor Lucy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12

A report from the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth is attached.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, presented the report which identifies the list of sites for Phase 2 of the Accelerated Land and Property Disposals Programme and sought approval for the property asset disposals. The Leader advised that although there was the opportunity for significant capital receipts, this had to be balanced with social value and, as such, the Disposals Programme included significant community and Ward Member engagement on the options for each site.

In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that community groups and local sports associations were working with the Council regarding the options for Philips Park, and more information on the site would be provided when available. With regards to how sites would be marketed, it was noted this was dependent on the merits and specifics of each site, Some would not be appropriate for housing and local groups might be able to take on smaller plots for community use. It was reiterated that all options would be reviewed in conjunction with Ward Members and the local community.

Decision:

That Cabinet:

1.   Approve the disposal of the Phase 2 property assets that are surplus to requirements.

2.   Approve the inclusion of additional land to 1 site from the Phase 1 list.

3.   Accept that the Brownfield Housing Fund will assist with disposal options for the sites identified as housing development sites.

Reasons for the decision:

There are limited Council resources to deal with the constant requests from individuals or third parties looking for opportunities to purchase our property assets. Phase 2 will continue the programme to bring in the required resources to comprehensively allow the Council to dispose of its chosen property assets in a strategic and co-ordinated way, and via a manageable phased approach.

There is a cost to maintain the Council’s assets and failure to manage them properly could cause a potential health and safety risk, as well as a reputational risk to the Council as the landowner.

Other options considered and rejected:

None. There is a cost to maintain the Council’s assets and failure to manage them properly could cause a potential health and safety risk, as well as a reputational risk to the Council as the landowner.