Decision details

Former Birkdale Library Liverpool Road Southport

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Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To seek approval to the disposal of the premises

Decisions:

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Built Environment which provided details of the tenders received as a result of the marketing exercise for the sale of the Council’s freehold interest in the former Birkdale Library Liverpool Road, Birkdale.

Decision Made:

That:

(1) subject to the receipt of planning permission, approval be given to the Council disposing of its freehold interest in the former Birkdale Library to the tenderer submitting the most advantageous bid, as detailed in Appendix 1, on the terms set out in the report; and

(2) the Head of Regulation and Compliance be authorised to prepare the necessary legal documentation on the terms and conditions detailed in the tender documents, by way of a Building Lease followed by Conveyance of the freehold interest, or an appropriate alternative means of Transfer, if required.

Reasons for Decision:

Birkdale Library was declared surplus to operational requirements and the premises closed in December 2013. The premises were included in the Council’s Asset Disposal Programme for 2015/16. Disposal would bring the premises into productive use and relieve the Council of an ongoing liability. The premises were registered as an Asset of Community Value so the obligations contained in the Localism Act legislation need to be followed by the Council.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The Council could retain the premises and continue to incur the holding costs.

Report author: David Street

Publication date: 10/07/2015

Date of decision: 03/07/2015

Decided at meeting: 03/07/2015 - Cabinet

Effective from: 18/07/2015

This decision has been called in by:

Cllr. Richard Hands who writes 1. We request the O&S Committee (Regeneration and Skills) to refer this item back to the Cabinet for further consideration. 2. The Cabinet failed to take into account that this was an opportunity for a community facility to be run by the community at no cost to the Council. 3. The report from the officers did not fully take into consideration the bid from FOBL 4. This building could be the community centre for this area. There are no other facilities within the area that would be as easily assessable as this building for the community and the five local primary schools. 5. The Council in past has always encouraged the community to be involved in their area and this building would provide such a facility. "
Cllr. Simon Shaw who writes 1. We request the O&S Committee (Regeneration and Skills) to refer this item back to the Cabinet for further consideration. 2. The Cabinet failed to take into account that this was an opportunity for a community facility to be run by the community at no cost to the Council. 3. The report from the officers did not fully take into consideration the bid from FOBL 4. This building could be the community centre for this area. There are no other facilities within the area that would be as easily assessable as this building for the community and the five local primary schools. 5. The Council in past has always encouraged the community to be involved in their area and this building would provide such a facility."
Cllr. Iain Brodie - Browne who writes 1. We request the O&S Committee (Regeneration and Skills) to refer this item back to the Cabinet for further consideration. 2. The Cabinet failed to take into account that this was an opportunity for a community facility to be run by the community at no cost to the Council. 3. The report from the officers did not fully take into consideration the bid from FOBL 4. This building could be the community centre for this area. There are no other facilities within the area that would be as easily assessable as this building for the community and the five local primary schools. 5. The Council in past has always encouraged the community to be involved in their area and this building would provide such a facility."

Accompanying Documents: