Meeting documents

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 April, 2018, copy attached as an appendix.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 April, 2018 be approved as a correct record.

Councillor Bowles

Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration

To consider the attached report

Contact Officer:  Teresa Lane (01296) 585006

(a)          Decision(s)

That approval be given to the removal of the scout hut from the AVE community asset register and to the subsequent sale of the land by AVE for residential development.

(b)          Reason(s) for Decision(s)

There is no obvious alternative community use and the only other option would be to leave the premises empty, risking further deterioration and possible vandalism.  The site would be suitable for housing use.

(c)        Alternative Options Considered

To do nothing, but for the reasons given in (b) above, this would not be the best approach.

(d)       Relevant Scrutiny Committee

Economy and Business Development.

(e)        Conflicts of Interest / Dispensation(s)

Councillor Mrs J Ward and the Assistant Director (Commercial Property and Regeneration) declared prejudicial interests as Directors of AVE.  Having given technical advice, both left the meeting whilst this matter was discussed.

The building previously used as a scout hut at Adams Close, Buckingham had been listed as a community asset when transferred to Aylesbury Vale Estates (AVE).  This status meant that the tenants (the Scout Association) were protected from being given notice by AVE should the latter wish to use the site for commercial reasons.  The site was within a residential area and backed onto the gardens of houses situated in Western Avenue.  A site plan was submitted.  The Council’s approval was required under the terms of the agreement with AVE for the disposal of the property.

As mentioned above the property was leased to the Scout Association at nil rent for a 30 year period.  The Association had however indicated that they would like to surrender the lease as they had a new facility.  The building was dated and in disrepair.  Its use as a polling station had been discontinued some time ago.  It was believed that no other community organisation would be interested in the building due to its current state and the costs associated with bringing it up to an acceptable standard.  In its unoccupied state the building had also become a target for vandals and the surrounding area had been used for unofficial parking and the receipt of deliveries by a local contractor.

AVE had discussed the potential of the site with planning consultants and a local land agent and it had been determined that the site would be suitable for a small residential scheme of up to three homes.  The AVE Board had agreed to surrender the Scout Association lease and seek planning permission for the site with a view to its sale on the open market to a residential developer.  As previously mentioned, de-listing the property as a community asset required the Council’s consent as did the sale itself, as it was likely to exceed the £100k delegated authority for the sale of any asset.  The expectation was that the value of the site was within a range of £200k - £300k.  Responses from two of the local Members indicated that they were in agreement with the proposal.

RESOLVED –

That approval be given to the removal of the scout hut from the AVE community asset register and to the subsequent sale of the land for residential development.

NOTE: Councillor Mrs J Ward and the Assistant Director (Commercial Property and Regeneration) each declared a prejudicial interest in this item as Directors of AVE, and having responded to technical questions, left the meeting whilst this matter was discussed.