Issue - meetings

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

29.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer, which provided an update on the work done in connection with the Property Asset Disposal and Investment Strategy. The Chief Operating Officer introduced the new Assistant Director Property, Nigel Brown.

29.2     The Committee discussed:

·         The Lease register, in connection with the findings of the GT External Audit

·         Disposals, protection of the Council’s interests (“Cinderella” clauses) and links to the corporate priorities

29.3     Members were informed of the implementation of the Property Asset Management System to assist the Estates team with managing leases and licences, contracts and asset condition. It was confirmed that the Estates team work closely with Legal Services to ensure appropriate clauses are used when agreeing leases. Where the Council acts as a landlord some payments have been deferred where appropriate in response to the pandemic, and the figures are reported to MCHLG. 

29.4     Members were assured that disposals were undertaken in line with professional best practice and legal advice, and that there was a range of methods to protect the Council’s interests and also benefit the transferee.  Paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 of the report were clarified in that a sale is only undertaken once it has been established that there is no operational requirement for the asset by any department. There is not a policy of selling assets for a simple capital return and that the focus of the Strategy is on maximising the value of the asset to the organisation, which may involve it being retained.   

29.5     The Committee RESOLVED to (1) note the report;

(2) confirm that there were no actions that should be taken in response to the contents (other than the clarification of the Strategy referred to Minute 29.4 above);

(3) note that progress continues against the background of wider operational and market uncertainties, and the need to support capacity to ensure delivery; and

(4) confirm that there were no new or emerging items for consideration.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

32.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided exempt information in support of an earlier agenda item.

32.2     The Committee RESOLVED to note the information.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

30.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer which contained exempt information in support of an earlier agenda item.

30.2     The Committee RESOLVED to note the information contained in the report.