Agenda item

Report CSD17127

The Committee received an update on matters arising from previous meetings.

In relation to Minute 435 (from the meeting on15^th March 2017), the Chairman noted that a report setting out the findings from the review of a possible merger of the Adult Passenger and SEN transport vehicle fleets was due to be considered by the Education, Children and Families Budget and Performance Monitoring Sub-Committee in the Autumn cycle of meetings.

Turning to the Total Facilities Management Contract Update, the Chairman requested that representatives from Amey attend the Committee’s meeting on 11^th October 2017, to answer questions from Members.

Action Point 2: that representatives from Amey be invited to attend the Committee’s meeting on 11^th October 2017, to answer questions from Members (Action by Director of Regeneration)

The Committee noted that the issue of utility debt had been referred to the Environment PDS Committee for further consideration.  The Leader reported that he had arranged a meeting between himself, the Portfolio Holder for Resources and representatives from BT which would be held on Tuesday 12^th September 2017.  The issue of outstanding utility debt would be discussed at this meeting.

A Member reported that in 2015, the Council had disposed of a piece of land at 29 Chesterfield Close for £130,000.  The Member had noted in a recent planning report that, on appeal, permission had been granted for 3 houses on the site.  The Member suggested that this indicated that the sale price of £130,000 received by the Council had not represented the true value of the land as developers now appeared to be making a profit of over 100%.  The Member questioned the quality of the advice that the Council had received at the time.  The Portfolio Holder for Resources stressed that the Local Authority had a legal obligation to maximise any return on assets.  In the past there had been pressure to move more swiftly with property disposals and it was therefore imperative that the circumstances surrounding this sale be adequately investigated to identify whether a mistake had indeed been made prior to drawing any conclusions.  The Committee requested that following the meeting an update be provided on this particular site and the circumstances around the sale of the land.

Action Point 3: that an update be provided on 29 Chesterfield Close and the circumstances around the sale of the land. (Action by Head of Legal Services)

It was agreed that Cushman and Wakefield should be invited to give a presentation to the Committee in the New Year.

Action Point 4: that Cushman and Wakefield be invited to give a presentation to the Committee in the New Year (Action by Senior Property Manager)

RESOLVED that

1. Representatives from Amey be invited to attend the Committee’s meeting on 11^th October 2017 for the Total Facilities Management Contract Update;

2. An update on the circumstances surrounding the sale of the land at 29 Chesterfield Close be provided to Members following the meeting; and

3. Cushman and Wakefield be invited to give a presentation to the Committee in the New Year.