Purpose

The Cabinet considered a report
recommending the disposal of nine surplus property assets: the
Palace Cinema, Broadstairs; land at Sacketts Gap, Margate, land at
St John’s Cemetery, Margate; Rossetti Gardens, Birchington;
land adjacent 19 Liverpool Lawn, Ramsgate; land off Fitzroy Avenue,
Botany Bay; the Edwardian lift and kiosk, Ramsgate; land adjacent
to the former Westbrook toilets, Margate; and the toilet block at
Albion Street, Broadstairs. The disposal of surplus assets is
crucial in generating capital receipts, which is essential for
funding the council’s approved Capital Programme as set out
in the Medium Term Financial Plan.

Decision

Cabinet approved the following:
 
1. 
The asset disposal of the Palace Cinema, Broadstairs to the current
leaseholder by way of Private Treaty, and if this is not successful
report back to cabinet;
 
2. 
The open market disposal of land at Sacketts Gap, Margate;
 
3. 
The asset disposal of land at St John’s Cemetery;
 
4. 
The asset disposal of Rossetti Gardens, Birchington;
 
5. 
The asset disposal of the land adjacent to 19 Liverpool Lawn,
Ramsgate;
 
6. 
The asset disposal of the land off Fitzroy Avenue, Botany Bay;
 
7. 
The asset disposal of the Edwardian lift and kiosk, Ramsgate,
subject to a covenant requiring its use as a lift;
 
8. 
The asset disposal of the land adjacent to Westbrook toilets,
Margate;
 
9. 
The asset disposal of the toilet block at Albion Street,
Broadstairs.

Reasons for the decision

The properties have been identified surplus to
council requirements. There is cost and risk to the council
associated with retaining these properties on a long term basis.
Their disposals will generate crucial capital receipts needed to
fund the council’s capital expenditure programme.

Alternative options considered

The options to retain the assets and repurpose
them were all rejected because they would be financially imprudent,
fail to generate the necessary capital funds for the council, and
would not address the financial or safety risks associated with
retaining the properties on a long term basis.