Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/175

Contact: Claire Phillips, Asset & Investment Team Manager Tel: 07785 453260

Report by Director for Capital & Investment Delivery (CA12).

The purpose of the paper is to improve the long term sustainability of the Mill Arts Centre in Banbury by declaring the property surplus to council requirements and transferring to Cherwell District Council as a named purchaser for less than best consideration. Cabinet are asked to delegate authority to Directors to agree appropriate terms and facilitate the transfer as soon as possible.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to,

(a)         To declare The Mill surplus to the county council’s requirements.

(b)         To approve the principle of transferring The Mill to Cherwell District Council, as a named purchaser for £1 which is less than best consideration subject to the necessary legal safeguards being in place.

(c)         To delegate to the Director of Law & Governance in conjunction with the Director of Capital Investment and Delivery to conclude the necessary legal agreement; and

(d)         To request that officers review the procedure for the disposal of surplus land at less than market value and bring an updated approach back to Cabinet at the appropriate time (once the current government consultation on this issue has concluded).

Recommendations agreed.

Cabinet had before them a report seeking approval to a proposal to improve the long-term sustainability of the Mill Arts Centre in Banbury by declaring the property surplus to council requirements and transferring to Cherwell District Council as a named purchaser for less than best consideration.

Councillor Mark Lygo, Shadow Cabinet Member for Transformation, supported the proposal and thanked officers for their efforts in bringing it forward.

Councillor Eddie Reeves, Cabinet Member for Transformation, in moving the recommendations emphasised that the proposal would allow the Arts Centre to access heritage funding, with Cherwell District Council taking a lead through their cultural planning and vision.

Responding to a question from a Cabinet Member, Bev Hindle, Strategic Director of Communities confirmed that the review referred to as recommendation (d) would come back to Cabinet for approval.

Nick Graham, Director of Law & Governance, responding to a question confirmed that the agreement would include specific reference to buy back and overage to protect the Council’s position.

Cabinet was advised that Cherwell District Council had agreed the proposals at their meeting on 17 December and they sdaw it as vital to that Council’s regeneration plans for Banbury.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)         declare The Mill surplus to the county council’s requirements.

(b)         approve the principle of transferring The Mill to Cherwell District Council, as a named purchaser for £1 which is less than best consideration subject to the necessary legal safeguards being in place.

(c)          delegate to the Director of Law & Governance in conjunction with the Director of Capital Investment and Delivery to conclude the necessary legal agreement; and

(d)         request that officers review the procedure for the disposal of surplus land at less than market value and bring an updated approach back to Cabinet at the appropriate time (once the current government consultation on this issue has concluded).