Purpose

Proposed decision: The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate
and Traded Services to agree to:
 
1.   
the disposal of land at Stanhope Road, Ashford TN23
5RA; 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
site is surplus to the Council’s operational requirements and
due to its projected value, a Key Decision will be required in
accordance with Kent County Council’s (KCC)
Constitution.
 

Background
The
land comprises a combination of former education buildings, the
site of a former children’s centre (now demolished), car
parking and open space. The buildings have been declared surplus by
the Council as they are no longer required for operational
purposes.
 
The
Council intends to openly market the site, and advice provided from
agents indicates that it is expected that the level of sales
receipts to KCC will be in excess of the delegated
threshold.
 

Options (other options considered but
discarded)

- 
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 2022-2026 by raising
capital for KCC to improve its ‘Infrastructure for
Communities’ by investing in services, contributing to
levelling up targets, and achieving its net zero
targets.
 
How the proposed decision supports

Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026:
Securing Kent's 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.
 

Decision

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet
Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded agrees to:
 
1.   
the disposal of land at Stanhope Road, Ashford TN23
5RA; and
 
2.   
to 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.