Decision

RESOLVED that:

A     The council accepts the offer of £100,000 submitted by the doctors operating the Old Harlow Medical Centre to acquire the freehold interest in the land adjacent to the Centre and agrees to execute the legal documentation required to complete the disposal of the asset.

B     The council authorises the payment, utalising the appropriate proportion of the council’s capital receipt, of any clawback liability due to Homes England triggered upon the sale of that land.

Reasons for the decision

To facilitate inward investment from the private sector in line with the Cabinet resolution dated 9 October 2025.

To facilitate the expansion of the Old Harlow Medical Centre, supporting its ongoing viability and its capacity to serve the growing local population.

To release an underperforming asset, whilst at the same time generating a capital receipt that will support the council’s financial resilience.

Alternative options considered

The option of retaining the land as part of the council’s investment portfolio and continuing to sell parking permits has been considered but dismissed.

Perpetuating the current arrangements would prevent the planned expansion of the Old Harlow Medical Centre and represent a missed opportunity to release an underperforming asset to generate a capital receipt.