Decision details

Further to Minute 90 (27 January 2015), the Cabinet will be asked to approve the terms of the disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in the farm house at Hooks Hall Farm, Dagenham and the associated disposal of grazing land on a long lease to the current occupants.

Further to Minute 90(vii) (27 January 2015), the Cabinet Member for Finance, Growth and Investment introduced a report on the proposed sale, leasing and licensing of land at Hooks Hall Farm, Dagenham, to the long-standing tenant and proprietor of the Eastminster School of Riding which operated from the premises.

The Cabinet Member outlined the terms of the proposed sale and leasing arrangements, which were based on a valuation report commissioned from an independent specialist agricultural surveyor, and commented that the proposed terms represented an excellent deal for the Council while also helping to support the growth of a well-established local business.

The Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Approve the disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in the farmhouse at Hooks Hall Farm to the current, long-standing tenant on the terms set out in the report;

(ii)  Approve the granting of a 125-year lease of the 16-acre farm land to the tenant to facilitate the continued operation of a riding stables, on the terms set out in the report;

(iii)  Approve the granting of a licence to graze horses within the adjacent country park to the tenant, subject to strict adherence to a management regime agreement and on the terms set out in the report; and

(iv)  Authorise the Director of Law and Governance, or an authorised delegate on her behalf, to execute all of the legal agreements, contracts and other documents on behalf of the Council.