Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Andy Drummond.

At each Cabinet meeting, up to 15 minutes shall be allocated for questions from and discussion with, non-Cabinet members.  Members wishing to speak during this session should if possible, give notice in advance.  Who speaks and for how long will be at the complete discretion of the person presiding.

No non-Cabinet Members in attendance wished to speak under this item; however, the Chairman considered it appropriate for the non-Cabinet Members in attendance to speak on Item 5, Investing in our Commercial Asset Portfolio, once the item was reached in private session.

Members of the public who live or work in the District are invited to put one question/statement of not more than three minutes duration relating to items to be discussed in Part 1 of the agenda only.  If a question is asked and answered within three minutes, the person who asked the question may ask a supplementary question that arises from the reply.

A person who wishes to speak must register at least 15 minutes before the time the meeting is scheduled to start.

There is an overall time limit of 15 minutes for public speaking, which may be extended at the Chairman’s discretion.

There were no members of the public in attendance.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded during the consideration of the following item because it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during the item, there would be disclosure to them of exempt categories of information as prescribed in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and indicated against the item and, in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

As the next item on the agenda was exempt, it was proposed, seconded and

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded during the consideration of the following item because it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during the items, there would be disclosure to them of exempt categories of information as prescribed in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and indicated against the item and, in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

(Councillors Stephen Edwards and Robin Millar joined the meeting during the consideration of this item.  With the agreement of the Chairman, Councillors Ruth Bowman, Simon Cole and St Edmundsbury Borough Councillor Sara Mildmay-White were invited to partake in the discussions on the next agenda item in private session.)

Exempt Report No: CAB/FH/18/019*

Portfolio Holders: James Waters and

Sara Mildmay-White (West Suffolk Lead for Housing)

Lead Officer: Ian Gallin

*The exempt report is available on the West Suffolk Intranet with restricted viewing access only. Paper copies will be available at the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That:

The decision is contained in the exempt version of this Decisions Notice.

(This decision and associated papers will be available in the public domain in due course)

(Exempt Report No: CAB/FH/18/019) (Special Urgency Notice published 9 March 2018)

Councillor James Waters, Chairman/Leader of the Council, presented this report which sought endorsement of the use of the Chief Executive’s urgency powers to purchase a property in Newmarket at auction.

An opportunity had arisen for the Council to purchase the freehold of 113 High Street and 3 The Avenue in Newmarket, which was due to be auctioned on 14 March 2018.  If purchased, this was considered to offer an opportunity for the Council to increase the number of temporary accommodation units available as well as providing a rental income to the Council. It also supported the West Suffolk Strategic Framework 2018-2020 and the Overarching West Suffolk Growth Investment Strategy in that it was considered to provide much needed housing, future revenue and capital income as well as supporting business with retail accommodation.

The Chairman, and Councillor Sara Mildmay-White, West Suffolk’s Portfolio Lead for Housing drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including placing emphasis on the potential benefits of investing in this property.

Questions were asked regarding the suitability of the property as temporary accommodation and those expected to occupy the premises. Members felt reassured however, that two floors of the property had been licensed as a House of Multiple Occupation and therefore already met a number of public safety standards.

The ground floor of the property comprised two separate retail units which were currently leased and occupied. This led to a discussion on rental agreements presently in place and income currently achieved by the occupiers of the retail units, and the potential income from a Registered Provider that would manage the accommodation units.  These details were summarised in the report.

Councillors Simon Cole and Ruth Bowman, Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were invited to speak and they both demonstrated their support for the proposal.

Having sought clarification on further matters such as the structural soundness of the property and the due diligence measures that would be undertaken by officers, the Cabinet unanimously supported the proposal and as recommended, endorsed the use of the Chief Executive’s urgency powers to authorise a bid of up to a maximum of £810,000 for the purchase, plus fees, thus allowing a maximum budget of £850,000.

It was proposed, seconded and with the vote being unanimous, it was

RESOLVED:

That:-

(1)     The intention for the Chief Executive to use his powers of urgency to negotiate at auction, the purchase of the identified property  at 113 High Street/3 The Avenue, Newmarket, be endorsed;

(2)     It be noted that having obtained this endorsement, the Chief Executive will authorise a budget up to a maximum of£850,000 , to be made available to facilitate the purchase, including fees and Stamp Duty Land Tax, to be funded from the Investing in the Growth Agenda fund; and

(3)     It be noted that should the purchase be made, the Council’s Section 151 Officer will make the necessary changes to the Council’s prudential indicators as a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 428.