Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment

RESOLVED THAT

1.    Option 2 be approved i.e. dispose of Arle Nursery site, and procure  the plants for our public realm planting externally; and

2.    the Head of Property and Asset Management, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance, be authorised to determine the most appropriate means of disposing of the property (in one or more parts) in order to obtain best consideration, and to enter into such negotiations as he considers necessary to achieve that outcome

3.    the Executive Director, Finance and Assets, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance, be authorised to accept an offer (or offers, if sold in more than one part) for the purchase of the property (in one or more parts) which in his reasonable opinion (following receipt of supporting professional advice) represents the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained for the site overall;

4.    the Borough Solicitor be authorised to conclude such documents as she considers reasonably necessary or advisable to reflect the terms agreed under paragraph 3 above

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report which considered the business case for retaining Arle Nursery site, selling it or developing it to be a fully-fledged garden centre for the public. Each option assessed the community, economic, environmental, legal, HR and technological implications. A detailed financial assessment of each option was also provided. The recommendation supported the delivery of additional affordable housing units which was a priority for the Cabinet.

Thanks were given to Mark Sheldon and Emma Morgan for their work on this  project.

The Leader added that discussions on the site had taken place over some time and a mixed public realm planting scheme had been agreed in December 2017. The decision to dispose of the nursery was a logical one and opening up the possibility for housing was vital for the town.

RESOLVED THAT

1.    Option 2 be approved i.e. dispose of Arle Nursery site, and procure  the plants for our public realm planting externally; and

2.    the Head of Property and Asset Management, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance, be authorised to determine the most appropriate means of disposing of the property (in one or more parts) in order to obtain best consideration, and to enter into such negotiations as he considers necessary to achieve that outcome

3.    the Executive Director, Finance and Assets, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance, be authorised to accept an offer (or offers, if sold in more than one part) for the purchase of the property (in one or more parts) which in his reasonable opinion (following receipt of supporting professional advice) represents the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained for the site overall;

4.    the Borough Solicitor be authorised to conclude such documents as she considers reasonably necessary or advisable to reflect the terms agreed under paragraph 3 above