Issue - meetings

Appendices 2 and 3 to this report are contained in the exempt section of the agenda due to the commercially sensitive nature of the information.

The Cabinet Member for Finance presented a report on the proposed disposal of a number of sites across the Borough that had been identified as surplus to requirements.

The Cabinet Member advised that he had asked officers to establish a register of all of the Council’s land holdings as part of a more strategic approach to land disposals.  The assessment of potential land disposals would take account of the community improvements that could be achieved as well as optimising capital receipts to support the Council’s Capital Programme.  The Cabinet Member also referred to the importance of disposing of surplus land to minimise revenue expenditure, which was illustrated by the budget pressure stemming from the delayed disposal of 90 Stour Road.

Officers clarified issues relating to the valuations contained within the exempt appendices to the report and it was confirmed that any offer that was significantly below the anticipated level of receipt would be referred back to the Cabinet.  In respect of the proposed disposal of land at Hooks Hall Farm via a long lease, it was agreed that the final decision be reserved to the Cabinet and officers were asked to include in that report details of other potential options for the site.  With regard to the site adjacent to Marks Gate Cemetery and Bagleys Spring, it was noted that the marketing exercise would reflect the high water table in that area. 

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Approve the disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in the land south of Plumtree Close, Dagenham, shown edged red on site plan 1 at Appendix 1 to the report, to an adjoining owner for the best consideration and terms that can reasonably be agreed;

(ii)  Approve the disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in the land and buildings known as Rose Redding Hall, 163 Bennetts Castle Lane, Dagenham, shown edged red on site plan 2 at Appendix 1, to the occupying charity, LifeLine Community Project, for the best consideration and terms that can reasonably be agreed;

(iii)  Approve the joint marketing and disposal with NHS Properties of the land adjacent to the Thames View Health Centre, Bastable Way, shown edged red on site plan 3 at Appendix 1, for the best consideration and terms that can reasonably be agreed;

(iv)  Approve the joint marketing of land adjacent to the Ship and Anchor site and adjacent land parcels owned by the Council at Becontree Heath, Dagenham, shown edged red on site plan 4 at Appendix 1, to facilitate the regeneration of the entire site and to note that a further report on the marketing will be presented to Cabinet in due course;

(v)  Approve the disposal of the Council’s interest in 64-68 Church Street, Dagenham, shown edged red on site plan 5 at Appendix 1, to the adjoining owner Estuary Housing Association for the best consideration and terms that can reasonably be agreed;

(vi)  Approve the disposal of the Council’s interest in 1 and 2 The Triangle, Tanner Street, Barking, shown edged red  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90