Issue - meetings

Orpington Ward

Report DRR17/040

Approval was sought for the release of an area of land and formal removal of a designated Car Park currently contained within The Priory Gardens, Orpington. The released land and car park would then form part of the demised premises within the lease to V22 for The Priory Building and former Library in Orpington.

Councillor William Huntington-Thresher addressed the Executive as a ward councillor. There had been concerns about access to the gardens, but he had been reassured on this issue by officers. He was also keen to ensure that the interests of residents and of the Council would be safeguarded in the long term. Officers would check this with the Council’s Legal Team and confirm in writing to Executive members. 

The original decision to lease The Priory and former Library to V22 was scrutinised by the Executive and Resources PDS Committee on 12 October 2016; the current report had been scrutinised by the Environment PDS Committee on 12^th July 2017.

RESOLVED that

(1)  The release of Park land and removal of the Priory Car Park so as to form a new demised area to be leased to V22 in accordance with the Resources Portfolio Holder’s previous decision to lease The Priory and former library to V22 plc be agreed.

(2)  It is noted that no objections were received following the publication of a Statutory Notice of Intention to Dispose of Open Space relating to the loss of land at the Priory Gardens to be included within the demised area of the V22 Lease.

(3)  On the basis that the existing property generates an income which would no longer be received, the Executive be recommended to agree that the capital receipt be set aside to increase the Council’s Investment Fund to enable the purchase of investment properties to generate alternative revenue income or that the money be put into the Council’s Parallel Fund or some other form of investment.