Report to: Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
Date of meeting: 11 October 2022
By: Chief Operating Officer
Title: 1 Southview Close, Crowborough and the access road leading to it
Purpose: To declare surplus to requirements and to approve the disposal of 1 Southview Close and the access road
The Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change is recommended to:
1) declare property known as 1 Southview Close and adjacent access road (the Property) surplus to requirements;
2) approve the disposal of the Property; and
3) delegate to the Chief Operating Officer to review offers received following the
marketing of the property and approve a preferred purchaser to secure best value in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972.
1.1 1 Southview Close, Crowborough and adjoining access road (the Property) is surplus to East Sussex County Council’s (ESCC) operational requirements. The location of the Property can be seen at Appendix 1. The Property was previously used as a Day Service for Adult Social Care. This Day Service for Adult Social Care was relocated to Hookstead following a decision by the Lead Member Adult Social Care and Health on 9 June 2016 to refurbish Hookstead as a replacement property to deliver this service.
1.2 The Property has been considered for other projects, but no operational use has been identified.
1.3 The access road forming part of the freehold interest in the Property is unadopted and has no public highway status.
1.4 ESCC do not want to retain the ownership of the access road as ESCC will have no operational use for it and it will remain a liability for ESCC to maintain and manage.
1.5 The access road is used by adjoining residential properties. The Property and the access road will be sold subject to the existing rights of way benefiting the adjoining private residential houses. The adjoining residential owners will be informed that ESCC intend to sell the Property prior to the commencement of marketing and of the requirement on the purchaser to maintain existing rights of access.
2.1 Subject to Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change approval, the site will be advertised on the open market via an external agent in November 2022 with a decision made by the Chief Operating Officer under delegated powers in early 2023. The residents of Southview Close will be informed prior to marketing.
2.2 The disposal of the asset will provide a capital receipt that will contribute to the Council’s capital programme and reduce revenue liabilities relating to the management and maintenance of the asset.
2.3 It will be made clear to the preferred bidder that:
2.3.1 if an offer is accepted it will be subject to contract and approval of title;
2.3.2 if a higher offer is received prior to exchange of contracts, ESCC shall consider the higher bid; and
2.3.3 if the proposed buyer attempts to reduce the price, or an issue arises that prevents the disposal from proceeding during the legal process, or if the bidder is not completing the transaction in a timely manner, then ESCC will revert to the bidder that is next in line in the score rating and that is in a position to proceed.
3.1 The property is no longer required for ESCC operational purposes. ESCC propose to market and dispose of the property in order to reduce cost and liability and to achieve a capital receipt. The capital receipt will be used to fund the existing 10- year capital programme, therefore reducing the requirement to borrow.
3.2 It is recommended that the Lead Member Resources and Climate Change:
3.2.1 Declares the Property surplus to requirements.
3.2.2 Approves the disposal of the Property.
3.2.3 Delegates to the Chief Operating Officer to review offers received following the
marketing of the property and approve a preferred purchaser to secure best value in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972.
ROS PARKER
Chief Operating Officer
Contact
Officer: Zoe Tweed
Email: zoe.tweed@eastsussex.gov.uk
Assistant Director – Property: Nigel Brown
Email: nigel.brown@eastsussex.gov.uk
LOCAL MEMBERS
Councillor Howell