Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th February, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

Key issues from the previous minutes were noted.

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 relates to the financial or business affairs).

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)).

Ian Smith, Director of Asset Management, to report.

-           to consider options for a strategy.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Asset Management, detailing options for a possible change of disposal strategy during the economic downturn.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to marketing only chosen types of asset, ensuring a suitable disposal strategy is adopted throughout the present land and property market downturn.

Tom Bell, Neighbourhood Investment Manager, to report.

-           to consider disposal.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by Neighbourhoods Investment Manager, detailing the proposed disposal of an identified Council owned site at Eldon Road, Eastwood for the purposes of residential development, as part of the 2008-2011 Affordable Housing Programme and in support of the continuing regeneration of Eastwood. The site was identified hatched in blue within Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

Resolved:-   That approval be given for the disposal of the site on the terms stated and on the basis that the Council receives all of the benefits detailed in the report now submitted.

Ian Smith, Director of Asset Management, to report.

-           to request approval for the disposal of five sites.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Asset Management, relating to a temporary presumption against the granting of planning permission for residential development on “Greenfield” land which resulted in ten sites being allocated a nominal value of £1 in the Capital Programme. It was reported that a change in Council policy had lifted the presumption against residential development and five of these sites have now been re-valued and brought forward for future disposal.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to the disposal of the five sites identified in Table 1 within the submitted report.

(2)       That the Director of Asset Management negotiates the disposals and arranges for the submission of any necessary planning applications.

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

Ian Smith, Director of Asset Management, to report.

-           to consider disposal of 3 sites.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Asset Management, seeking approval to dispose of Churchfields, Listerdale and Parkstone House, which were surplus to the requirements of the Department of Health and Wellbeing.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the sites of the three former care homes be disposed of on the open market, as detailed in the report now submitted.

(2)  That the Director of Asset Management negotiates the terms of disposal including the submission of any necessary planning applications.

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

Ian Smith, Director of Asset Management, to report.

-           to consider disposal of the site.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Asset Management, seeking approval of proposals for the future disposal of Laudsdale House, East Herringthorpe.  It was confirmed that this establishment was surplus to the requirements of the Department of Health and Wellbeing.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Option 1, as detailed in the report now submitted, be pursued to demolish Laudsdale House and dispose of the site for residential development.

(2)       That the Director of Asset Management negotiates the terms of disposal and arranges for the submission of any necessary planning application.

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

(4)       That an intrusive survey is carried out at Laudsdale House to calculate  any addition to the demolition costs currently estimated at £78,000.

(5)       That the Cabinet be recommended to consider that the costs of site security/demolition be met from the Capital Programme.

Ian Smith, Director of Asset Management, to report.

-           to consider disposal of land.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Asset Management, seeking approval to dispose of the above-mentioned land which was surplus to the requirements of Environment and Development Service.  The area under consideration was shown hatched black on the plan attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

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

(2)  That the Director of Asset Management negotiates the terms of disposal and arranges for the submission of any necessary planning application.

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

Ian Smith, Director of Asset Management, to report.

-           update report highlighting changes to the forecast of capital receipts resulting in a revision of the Council’s capital programme.

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

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

(2)  That any action on properties which could potentially be used for grounds maintenance be deferred pending clarification of the future of the service.

Ian Smith, Director of Asset Management, to report.

-           to report the issues identified and to inform the Board of the outcome.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Asset Management, relating to a review the procedures within EDS for land and property disposals carried out by Internal Audit and Governance.  It was reported that this review had identified non-compliance with aspects of the sale of land at Coke Lane to VAR.  The issues identified and measures taken to address those issues were detailed in the submitted report for the information of the Board.

Resolved:-  (1) That it be noted that in all future cases development land shall be sold in accordance with the approved procedure EDS/RD/PR/007 and related Approval Form RD/004/F09.

(2) That the action taken for the sale of the land at Coke Lane (as detailed on the plan appended to the submitted report) to VAR, in accordance with the terms stated in the report, be endorsed.

(3)  That Internal Audit submit a report, to an early meeting of this Board, on the procedures followed in this matter.

WEDNESDAY, 22^ND APRIL, 2009 @ 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board be held on WEDNESDAY, 22^ND APRIL, 2009 at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.