Issue - meetings

Councillor M Francis, Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee to present a report proposing changes to the District Council’s Constitution following the approval by Cabinet of the Disposals of Small Land Parcels Policy and an updated Disposals and Acquisition of land and buildings policy.

At their meeting on 29th November 2017, the Corporate Governance Committee recommended that the Council be requested to endorse the Policy and approve any consequential amendments to the District Council’s Constitution.

In conjunction with a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Councillor M Francis, Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee, presented details of a draft policy for the Disposal of Small Land Parcels that was considered by the Corporate Governance Committee at their meeting on 29th November 2017. Members were informed of the background and purpose of the Policy whereby the Council currently devoted significant levels of resources to the disposal of small areas of land. The sale process was time consuming and complex.

Councillor Mrs S J Conboy reminded Members of the availability of these parcels of land on the Council’s website. Councillor B S Chapman raised a question in relation to whether Town and Parish Councils had been contacted in respect of these parcels of land as they may have a recreational use for them. Councillor Gray explained that the Policy had been designed to address the management of very small parcels of land and Town and Parish Councils had been fully consulted as part of the disposal process, as well as the inclusion of ward members.

Councillor D A Giles welcomed the explanation on the proposed Policy but continued to express concern that these small parcels of land were being sold off to extend gardens and enhance the value of properties, the resulting increase in value had not been realised by the Officer time involved. Councillor Gray provided an explanation of the how the disposal of small land parcels would be managed, whereby interests may be registered and the legal team would undertake the necessary work following the collation of a suitable batch of enquiries, rather than being dealt with in ad-hoc way, thereby minimising the resources involved. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Disposal of Small Land Parcels Policy as appended to the report now submitted be endorsed; and

(b)  that any consequential changes be made to the Constitution (including the Code of Procurement and Code of Financial Management) to reflect the new Policy along with the respective updates to the Disposals and Acquisitions of Land and Buildings Policy.

To consider a report by the Head of Resources seeking endorsement of a Policy in respect of the Disposal of Small Land Parcels.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Resources to which was attached a draft policy for the Disposal of Small Land Parcels. Copies of the report and draft Policy are appended in the Minute Book. The Executive Member for Strategic Resources, Councillor J A Gray, informed the Committee of the background to and purpose of the Policy. The Council currently devoted significant levels of resources to the disposal of small areas of land. The sale process was time consuming and complex. He also questioned the level of return the Council obtained from such sales. It was suggested that the Council should introduce a presumption that any small areas of land should be used as open space. Land would only be sold where there were good strategic reasons to do so.

During discussion on the terms of the Policy, it was established that Members’ views would be taken into account when a decision to sell land was taken, that where a sale took place the buyer would meet all the costs involved and that the price would be determined on a case by case basis.

The Chairman read out an e-mail by Councillor S Conboy in which she expressed her views on the sale process. In response, it was stated that Ward Members were informed of proposed sales and it was their duty to engage with interested parties, including town and parish councils, on them. They also were informed that town and parish councils were formally requested to provide intelligence on activities that might affect the ownership of land. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

a)  that the Disposal of Small Land Parcels Policy appended to the report now submitted be endorsed, and

b)  that the Council be recommended to make any consequential changes to the Constitution (including the Code of Procurement and Code of Financial Management) to reflect the new Policy along with the respective updates to the Disposals and Acquisitions of Land and Buildings Policy.

To consider a report proposing a new policy outlining procedures on the disposal of small land parcels.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr J A Gray)

That the ‘Disposals of Small Land Parcels Policy’, along with the respective updates to the Council’s ‘Disposals and Acquisitions of Land and Buildings Policy’ be approved.

That to the Corporate Governance Committee be recommended to approve all required changes to the Constitution (including the Code of Procurement and Code of Financial Management) to reflect the new ‘Disposals of Small Parcels Policy along with the respective updates to the Council’s ‘Disposals and Acquisitions of Land and Buildings Policy’.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Resources to which was appended the Common Themes of Small Land Sales Policies by Other Local Authorities, Disposal of Small Land Parcels Policy and Disposal and Acquisition of Land & Buildings Policy (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book). Executive Members were advised of how the Policy would ensure that Council resources were wholly and effectively committed to meeting Council priorities; thereby having appropriate policies in place to achieve this. The Policy would allow for disposal of small land parcels which were surplus to requirements and gave procedures for these to be dealt with in a timely and sequential manner. Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

a)  that the ‘Disposals of Small Land Parcels Policy’, along with the respective updates to the Council’s ‘Disposals and Acquisitions of Land and Buildings Policy’ be approved; and

b)  that the Corporate Governance Committee be recommended to approve all required changes to the Constitution (including the Code of Procurement and Code of Financial Management) to reflect the new ‘Disposals of Small Parcels Policy’ along with the respective updates to the Council’s ‘Disposals and Acquisitions of Land and Buildings Policy’.

The Panel are to receive the Disposal of Small Land Parcels Policy.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Disposal of Small Land Parcels Policy was presented to the Panel. The Panel was informed that the report also covers updates to the Disposal and Acquisitions Policy.

The Small Land Parcels Policy covers land that is less than 0.25 acres and has a limit of £10k. It was noted that the Council has a number of such sites which cost the Council money in order to maintain them.

Concern was raised that there was not sufficient commitment to public engagement in the policy, in particular there was concern that Ward Members would only be informed once the decision to sell had been made. The Head of Resources stated that he would revise the section to ensure Ward Members are consulted prior to disposal.

Members were informed that the Council’s small parcels of land won’t be for sale unless it is economically unviable to keep and maintain the land. The Head of Resources confirmed that the Policy is not a commitment to sell. The Council will add a charge to reflect the work and effort it takes Officers to dispose of the land.

In response to a question regarding the value of land and development, the Panel was informed that most of the land won’t be developed on however some may have extensions built. There is a potential that some properties could increase in value considerably.

(At 8.36pm, during the discussion of this item, Councillor S Cawley left the meeting and did not return.)