Purpose

It si recommended that Cabinet formally declares the asset surplus to operational requirements.

Decision

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet formally declares the asset surplus to operational requirements.

1. That Cabinet approves the minimum reserve price as outlined in the part 2 report.

1. That Cabinet delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources (s151 Officer) in consultation with the Director of Land and Property to finalise the transaction and enter into all associated legal agreements.

1. That Cabinet delegates further authority to those officers in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure to agree any specific covenants on the sale of assets to be sold through auction, to finalise the transaction, and enter into all associated legal contracts (including private treaty if the asset can be sold prior to auction).

1. That Cabinet notes the sale of the residential property known as West Park Farmhouse, West Park Road, Newchapel, Lingfield, RH7 6HT, being conditional upon the simultaneous surrender of the headlease held over the asset by HGR which has been agreed by the HGR Board and notes the agreed terms within the part 2 report.

1. That Cabinet approves the HGR premium for the surrender of its interest in West Park Farmhouse, West Park Road, Newchapel, Lingfield, RH7 6HT from the gross receipts and notes there is debt aligned to this asset, with parties bearing their own costs and appointments of their own professional team and notes the agreed terms outlined in the part 2 report.

Reasons for Decisions:

• Cabinet has previously endorsed rationalisation of the surplus estate.

• To enable the disposal, Cabinet is asked to formally declare the asset surplus to operational requirements under the Council’s Constitution.

• The residential dwelling known as West Park Farmhouse was part of the fourth and final tranche of residential properties transferred by the Council to HGR on 4 February 2022. HGR has recommended they be sold. The Council has no operational requirements for these properties.   

• The residential dwelling known as West Park Farmhouse has previously been declared surplus to operational requirements by the Council’s Strategic Investment Board (SIB) on 16 June 2025.

• The asset has been identified for sale by auction due to issues around Health & Safety, Land Title and planning issues. A sale by auction enables an early conclusion of a sale and is ideal for constrained assets.

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)