Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11^th July, 2007 be approved as a correct record.

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

Paul Smith, Project Manager, to report.

-           to re-establish governance arrangements.

Further to Minutes Nos. 168 and 10 of meetings of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 17^th May, 2006 and 13^th June, 2007 respectively, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Asset Management, relating to proposals to re-establish the Town Centre Development Project Board with a revised membership and Terms of Reference.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to the following:-

1)     the re-establishment of  “Town Centre Development” Project Board as a sub group of the Regeneration & Asset Board.

2)     The continuation of the Cabinet Member for Environment & Regeneration as the Project Champion.

3)     the Chief Executive being the Project Sponsor, until a permanent Strategic Director for Environment and Development Services can assume the role.

4)     the Development Team of Rotherham Investment and Development Office leading the delivery of Lot 3 developments.

5)     the terms of reference outlined in section 7 of the report now submitted.

6)     the revised membership of the Project Board, as outlined in section 7 of the report now submitted

7)     the Director of Asset Management leading the Town Centre Civic (Lot 1) and Cultural Accommodation (Lot 2) procurement and delivery with the Design Consultancy Manager as Project Manager.

John Smales, Development Team Manager, to report.

-           to consider amendments to Finance Bill.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Development Surveyor, relating to new legislation contained in the Finance Bill (to be implemented on 1^st April, 2008), and setting out proposed amendments to Rate Relief on commercial properties.

The Board was informed that the new legislation was aimed at encouraging empty shops, offices, factory and warehouse buildings back into operational use as part of a package to create thriving urban centres, renovate empty buildings and promote better use of brownfield sites.

The Board was also advised of the impact this would have on town centre developments and the Council run Business Centres.

Members of the Board expressed concern about the anticipated additional cost to the Council and the issue of absent landlords.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the new proposals, as detailed in the report submitted, be noted.

(2)                That the Board’s concerns be noted and appropriate avenues be used to voice those concerns.

(3)  That the impact of this legislation be monitored over a period of 12 months and a report be submitted to the Regeneration and Asset Board.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular individual (including the Council)):-

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Scheduled 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council))

James Dibaj, Senior Valuer, to report.

-           to consider options for the disposal of the Gillian Banks Dance School, Maltby.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Valuer, relating to receipt of an offer to purchase the freehold interest in the above Dance School.

Details of the offer, and the four options which the Board considered, were set out in the report submitted.

An explanation was given of the valuation of the property and it was reported that the proposed offer would reflect a reasonable auction reserve price.

The Board acknowledged the contribution to the community of this existing business.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to sell the property by private treaty as detailed in the report submitted.

Carole Smith, Strategic Property Manager, to report.

-           to present an update.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, highlighting the changes to the forecast of capital receipts resulting in a revision of the Council’s capital programme.

Reference was made to the following:-

-                      target for 2007/2008

-                      future projections

-                      use of the capital programme

-                      Renaissance programme

-                      the need to identify further sites for disposal

-                      specific sites:-  Melton High Street, West Melton;  Dale Road, Rawmarsh

-                      sites within the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Master Plan areas

-                      the housing agenda as set out in the Green Paper

-                      High, medium and low risk categories

-                      access and planning issues at some of the identified sites

Resolved:-  (1)  That the position on the current status of the capital receipts, which support the capital programme, be noted.

(2)                      That the Director of Asset Management submit a report to the next meeting of the Board relating to the process used to identify surplus assets, the consultation process and ways of defeating claims.

(3)  That the Director of Asset Management submit a report to the next meeting of the Board setting out the cost of sites that have been disposed of as part of schemes being developed by Registered Social Landlords and the financial impact on the medium term capital programme.

Carole Smith, Strategic Property Manager, to report.

-           to seek the release of covenant to allow residential development.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, relating to receipt of a request from the Church Council for the release of a restrictive covenant on the land adjacent to Christchurch Hall, off Christchurch Road, West Melton.

Background details of the history to this site together with two options were detailed in the report and considered by the Board.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the request by the Church Council be not approved.

(2)               That Option 1, as detailed in the report, be pursued by the Director of Rotherham Investment and Development Office.

(3)  That the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services, completes the necessary documentation.

Carole Smith, Strategic Property Manager, to report.

-           to seek approval for appropriation of assets from Culture and Leisure and resources and information to Asset Management Service.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, seeking approval for the appropriation of the above-mentioned sites from Culture and Leisure Service and Resources and Information to Asset Management Service.

The Director of Asset Management explained the details of this internal transaction.

 Resolved:-  (1)  That Sites A and B shown on the attached plan at Appendix 1 are appropriated from Culture and Leisure Service to Asset Management Service at the value detailed in the report.

(2)  That Site C shown on the plan attached at Appendix 1 is appropriated from Resources and Information to Asset Management Service at the value detailed in the report .

(3)  That the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services completes the necessary documentation.

(4)  That the Director of Corporate Finance arranges the appropriate budgetary adjustments.

Carole Smith, Strategic Property Manager, to report.

-           to seek approval for disposal of land.

 Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, seeking approval for the disposal of the above-mentioned asset which is surplus to the requirements of Culture and Leisure Service.

The Board noted that disposal would allow the applicant to fence off the land and provide better security and thus reduce current vandalism.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to dispose of the asset on the basis outlined in the report submitted.

(2)  That the Director of Rotherham Investment & Development Office negotiates the disposal of the land on the basis recommended in the report.

(3)                        That the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal & Democratic Services completes the necessary documentation.

Carole Smith, Strategic Property Manager, to report.

-           to seek approval for litigation proceedings.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, outlining the current situation on the above mentioned site.

The Board’s attention was drawn to Lots 1, 2 and 3 as illustrated on the plan accompanying the report.

Reference was made to the number of sites inherited from the former West Riding County Council and to other acquisitions made by the Council, and to the need for an up to date ownership records of Council land and buildings.

Reference was made to legal advice which had been received in respect of this matter.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to proceeding with litigation as detailed in the report now submitted.

(2)  That the Director of Asset Management submit a report to a future meeting of the Board setting out the current position and identifying options and resource implications necessary to enhance and update the data held.

Carole Smith, Strategic Property Manager, to report.

-           to seek approval to grant rights over land for access to a residential development.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, seeking approval to grant rights over the above-mentioned land in order to provide access to a residential development site owned by Keyland Development Ltd. 

The Board’s attention was drawn to the sites at this location and the proposal, which were illustrated on the accompanying plan.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval is given to grant rights over Council owned land to provide access for residential development.

(2)                       That the Director of Rotherham Investment & Development Office negotiates the rights to be granted on the basis recommended in the report.

(3)                       That the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal & Democratic Services completes the necessary documentation.

Carole Smith, Strategic Property Manager, to report.

-           to seek approval to dispose of land at Warehouse Lane for an extension to the Doctors’ surgery.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, seeking approval for the disposal of the above-mentioned asset which is surplus to the requirements of the Asset Management Service.

The area considered was illustrated on the plan accompanying the report.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to dispose of the asset on the basis outlined in the report submitted.

(2)  That the Director of Rotherham Investment and Development Office negotiate the disposal.

(3)  That the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services completes the necessary documentation.

Roy Liversidge, Valuation Manager, to report.

(i)                 to consider the acquisition of Rotherham Chamber’s equitable interest

(ii)               to consider a disposal of the building at a later date.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Rotherham Investment and Development Office, requesting consideration of the following issues:-

-  Acquiring Rotherham Chamber’s Equitable Interest in Reresby House. 

-  Future uses of the building.

Reference was made to:-

Valuation

Negotiations

Income

Current condition and equipment

Opportunities/options for future use

Resolved:-  (1)  That Rotherham Chamber’s Equitable Interest in Reresby House be acquired on terms to be agreed by the Director of Rotherham Investment and Development Office.

(2) That a disposal of the building be agreed when all Council staff currently in the building have transferred to new offices.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of this item in order to debate the wider issues in respect of similar land transfers.)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the HMR Team Leader, which summarised activity undertaken to date at the Wath Regeneration Area, former White Bear Estate.

The report made reference to:-

-                      The Area Masterplan

-                      Sites 1 to 6

-                      Benefits of the scheme

-                      Market testing and partner engagement

-                      Planning engagement

-                      Land transfer proposals and details

-                      Phasing and next steps

-                      Finance

It was stated that although the asset sale would produce a significant capital receipt it would entail the discounting of land to enable the optimum number of affordable housing to be constructed.

The Board had a preliminary discussion on the issues in the report.

However the Board was advised that Corporate Management Team had looked at this issue and a report on the overall policy of discounting assets would be submitted to the next meeting for consideration.

Resolved:-  That consideration be deferred pending receipt and consideration of the report on the proposed overall policy in respect of land transfers and discounted assets.

WEDNESDAY, 24^TH October, 2007 at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Rotherham.

Wednesday, 24^th October, 2007 at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall, Rotherham (NB: to be confirmed)