Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

The Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services on the principal terms and conditions that had been agreed for the freehold disposal of approximately 193 acres (78 hectares) of land at Lunt Village, Thornton, Sefton.

The following appendices were attached to the report:

·       Appendix 1 - Site Plan

·       Appendix 2 - Financial Details - exempt

Concerns were raised regarding the Heads of Terms for the sale of the land and possible future use.

Decisions Made:

That

(1)      approval be granted to dispose of approximately 193 acres (78 hectares) of land at Lunt Village, Thornton on the terms and conditions detailed within the report, and that should it be necessary, delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member - Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, to amend the said terms and conditions;

(2)      the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer be authorised to complete the necessary legal documentation; and

(3)      approval be granted to deduct up to 4% of the eventual capital receipt to cover the professional fees and incidental costs of disposal, as set out in Capital Accounting Regulations.

Reasons for the Decisions:

(i)             The disposal would generate a capital receipt that could support the delivery of economic development and regeneration projects, which formed part of the Growth and Strategic Investment Programme.

(ii)            Incidental costs of disposal such as Consultant’s fees and valuation reports could be deducted from a capital receipt in accordance with Local Authority Capital accounting Regulations.

(iii)          The proposed purchaser intended to enhance biodiversity of the area, contribute to increasing the ability of the area to capture carbon from new woodland planting and wetland creation and to work alongside other not-for-profit, charity and statutory landowners and occupiers, potentially through a form of joint management agreement, to develop a more extensive forest park in the area.

(iv)          It was proposed that the Council would retain an ongoing involvement in the development, delivery and future management of the more extensive forest park.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The Council could retain the land in its ownership and market the property to let for agricultural use. However, this would not generate a capital receipt to fund the Growth and Strategic Investment Programme. The sale of the Grange land was included in Phase 1 of the Asset Maximisation proposals.

The Council could retain the land for carbon capture or open space amenity. However, responsibility for managing the land would also stay with the Council. There was currently no staff or budget for the management of this land and provision would need to be considered to avoid a negative impact on existing land management budgets (regardless of which portfolio assumed responsibility).