Decision details

(The Chair agreed that this report could be considered at the meeting under the provisions of Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 as a matter of urgency in order for the Cabinet to consider the proposed purchase of a property within the very limited timescale set by the site owner.)

Councillor Twomey presented a report on the proposed purchase of the former Sacred Heart Convent site, Goresbrook Road, Dagenham.

Councillor Twomey advised that the Council had been minded to purchase the site a couple of years ago but the matter had not progressed.  A fresh opportunity to purchase the site had now come to light, with the Council being offered first option before the site was offered for general sale on the open market, subject to a deal being concluded within four weeks. 

Members noted details of the initial valuations of the site based on the building being used as an elderly persons care home, for which planning permission was granted in January 2016, and Councillor Twomey outlined the benefits to the Council of purchasing the site and the potential uses for the building.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree that appropriate financial provision, as detailed in section 5 of the report, be made within the 2016/17 Capital Programme to facilitate the purchase (and associated fees and Stamp Duty Land Tax) of the former Sacred Heart Convent site, as shown edged red in Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii)  Authorise the Strategic Director of Growth and Homes, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance and Investment, the Director of Law and Governance and the Cabinet Member for Finance, to progress the purchase of the former Sacred Heart Convent site on the terms set out in the report and to enter into all necessary agreements to complete the purchase;

(iii)  Agree that the call-in procedure shall not apply in view of the very limited timescale set by the site owner in which to conclude the purchase, in accordance with the waiver arrangements under paragraph 6.16, Chapter 8, Part 2 of the Council’s Constitution; and

(iv)  Note that a further report will be presented to Cabinet if the land purchase is secured setting out proposals for the future use of the site and the revenue funding arrangements associated with the cost of borrowing.