Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which set out proposals for the disposal of a number of minor sites.

A corresponding private report was also submitted to the meeting setting out the commercially confidential matters of the proposal.  (Minute 53 below refers.)

The Cabinet noted that officers are continually reviewing the Council’s land holdings.  A number of sites have been identified as either surplus to operational requirements, or where there is expenditure to maintain or the land is subject to fly tipping and anti-social behaviour. The sites identified in the appendix attached to the report may have the potential to be developed as part of a wider development site, including commercial and garden land uses.  The sites included land at Henley Road/Caradoc Close; Cheltenham Croft; Wall hill Road; Abbey Road; Harry Rose Road; land adjacent to Red Lane; Freehold Street (Former Afro Caribbean Youth Centre); and land adjacent to 277 Longford Road / Oban Road.

The sites identified are a mix of derelict, overgrown and non-operational sites and do not have any strategic benefits for the Council to retain.  The Council acting as planning authority is in principle supportive of opportunities to promote urban regeneration throughout Coventry and notes that at least some of these sites may be acceptable in this regard subject to full consideration by the Council through the planning application process.

The preferred method of disposal will be via auction, to guarantee the capital receipts which will be received in this financial year. Sites may also be sold via the tender process to ensure the right purchaser is selected for certain sites, this also includes seeking ‘expressions of interest’ approval where necessary.

The report indicated that officers will continue to review the Council’s commercial property portfolio for opportunities to identify land and buildings that do not adequately contribute to the Council’s resources and will bring forward further reports recommending disposal.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:

1.  Declare the sites listed in Appendix 1 to this report surplus to requirements.

2.  Approve the freehold disposal of the sites identified in Appendix 1 to this report by auction, tender or direct negotiation.

3.  Approve the seeking of expressions of interest for land at Abbey Road.

4.  Delegate authority to the Director of Finance and Corporate Services, following consultation with the City Solicitor, to agree the final terms of the land transactions, complete the necessary legal documentation and collect the consideration obtained for the sale.