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Report to: |
Lead Member for Resources
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Date of meeting:
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8 June 2021 |
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By: |
Chief Operating Officer
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Title: |
Former Wadhurst Household Waste Recycling Centre, Wadhurst
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Purpose: |
To agree the disposal of a declared surplus asset following the completion of the marketing of this asset. |
The Lead Member for Resources is recommended to:
1) Agree to the disposal of the asset following the marketing of the site in Spring 2021 and an analysis of the offers contained in the Exempt report at a later agenda item;
2) Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to secure best value in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972.
1.1 At the Lead Member for Resources meeting in October 2020, authority was agreed to declare the former Wadhurst Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) site surplus to operational requirements. In addition, authority was given to proceed with the disposal of the asset to a preferred bidder. Unfortunately, the preferred bidder did not complete the sale due to economic uncertainty arising from the coronavirus pandemic. The Council decided in January 2021 that remarketing of the property was the preferred route. The property was subsequently re-offered to the market in Spring 2021. Offers were received and a preferred purchaser has now been selected for the Lead Member to consider. The offers received in Spring 2021 were at higher values than the original marketing exercise in mid-2020.
1.2 In Spring 2021, Wealden District Council received an application to register the site as a community asset under the Community Right to Bid legislation as defined under the Localism Act 2011. East Sussex County Council were consulted as freeholder owners and did not object. Wealden District Council reviewed the application for the asset to be listed and determined the criteria was not met and notified East Sussex County Council in April 2021.
1.3 In tandem to the Community Right to Bid application the Council had re-commenced marketing of the property. The period of marketing was extended a few weeks in Spring 2021 and by this time the outcome of the Community Right to Bid application to Wealden District Council had been made.
1.4 The Council has reviewed offers and an analysis has been undertaken to understand the wider set of financial and non-financial benefits reflecting the Council’s Community Asset Transfer policy. In conclusion, a preferred purchaser has been selected based on their proposal (i.e. likelihood / ease of obtaining planning for their proposal) as well as the strength of their financial offer.
1.5 The location can be seen in the plan in appendix 1.
2.1 The decision required relates to reviewing the offers received and determining that the Council now proceeds to sell the freehold of former Wadhurst HWRC, Faircrouch Lane, Wadhurst to the selected bidder as outlined in appendix 2 of the later Exempt report under item 10 of the agenda.
2.2 The property marketing in early 2021 has been well received in the marketplace drawing seven private offers and a single community offer.
2.3 The disposal of the asset will provide a capital receipt that will contribute to the Council’s capital programme.
3. Conclusion and reasons for recommendations
3.1 It is recommended that the Lead Member agrees for the disposal of the freehold to the highest bidder as outlined in appendix 2 of the later Exempt report under item 10 of the agenda. If the sale is not completed in a timely manner, then the next best bidder is considered.
3.2 It is recommended that the Lead Member agrees to delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to approve the details of the disposal to the preferred bidder as outlined in paragraph 3.1.
Phil Hall
Chief Operating Officer
Contact
Officer: Peter Smith
Tel. No. 01273 337647
Email: peter.smith@eastsussex.gov.uk
Assistant Director – Property: Nigel Brown
Email: nigel.brown@eastsussex.gov.uk
LOCAL MEMBERS
Cllr Bob Standley