Purpose

Proposed decision:
TheDeputy Leader and Cabinet
Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to agree
to:
 
1.   
the disposal of surplus land at Broomhill Bank School (North),
Puddledock Lane & Rowhill Road, Hextable
BR8 7RP; and
 
2.   
delegate authority to The Director of
Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet
Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the
terms of the disposal and execution of all necessary or desirable
documentation required to implement the above.
 
Reason for the
decision
The property is surplus to the
Council’s operational requirements and due to its projected
value, a key decision will be required as per Kent County
Council’s Constitution.
 
Background
The land comprises two sites
labelled 2 and 3 and outlined in Blue on the site plan.
 
Site 2 – known as the
Garage site, extends to approximately 0.37ha and comprises
redundant garages, workshop buildings, hardstanding and former hard
and soft play areas for the adjacent school.
 
Site 3 – known as the
former Playing Field site, extends to approximately 0.92ha and
comprises redundant former playing fields. Part (a) (0.14ha) is
leased to Hextable Parish Council for
use as a Memorial Garden and part (b) (0.78ha) is
vacant.
 
Both sites were declared
surplus to requirements in May 2021 as they are no longer required
for operational purposes.
 
It is expected that the level of net sales
receipts to KCC will be over the £1m delegated threshold and
will therefore require a Key Decision.
 
Options (other
options considered but discarded)
Other options that were considered were
to:
-         
Reuse the site
-         
Continue to hold the site vacant in case of a future
requirement.
-         
Disposal of the asset. This is the recommended option.
 
How the proposed
decision supports the
Framing Kent's Future - Our
Council Strategy 2022-2026
This decision supports
Framing Kent’s Future as the disposal will release surplus
(part brownfield) land, providing a redevelopment opportunity and
help towards the County’s housing targets.
 
How the proposed
decision supports
Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future -
Budget Recovery Strategy
This decision supports Securing Kent’s
Future 2022-2026 by securing a capital receipt to invest in
KCC’s priority projects and programmes whilst also
streamlining KCC’s property portfolio, achieving financial
and efficiency benefits.
 
Financial
Implications
The sale of the property will
result in a capital receipt which will be reinvested back into the
Council’s Capital Programme.
 
The disposal of the property will remove
management liabilities associated with holding a vacant site and
therefore ease pressure on revenue budgets.
 
Legal
Implications  
The Council has an overarching duty under
Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 to secure not less
than best consideration in respect of property disposals. It also
has a fiduciary duty to the residents of Kent.
 
Disposing of the site will reduce risk of
claims from the public, and reduce management risk, responsibility
and liability. External legal advisors will be appointed in
consultation with General
Counsel.               
             

Equalities
implications
An Equalities Impact
Assessments (EqIA) has been undertaken
and identified no direct equalities implications arising
from the disposal of the site.
 
Data Protection
implications
As part of this approval process and in the
handling of the marketing/conveyancing of the site Data Protection
regulations will be observed.
 
A Data Protection Implication Assessment
(DPIA) screening has confirmed that there are no DPIA implications
and that a further DPIA assessment is not required in respect of
this decision.
 

Decision

I as the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for
Finance, Corporate and Traded Services agree to:
 

1.   
the disposal of surplus land at Broomhill Bank School (North),
Hextable BR8 7RP;
 

2.   
delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in
consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance,
Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the terms of the
disposal and execution of all necessary or desirable documentation
required to implement the above.