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The Committee considered a report from the Head of Commercial Services about strategic land purchase of properties at Vineyard Street, Osborne Street and Arthur Street. The Leader of the Council and Chairman of Cabinet had agreed that this item should be added to the agenda as an urgent item. The opportunity to purchase these properties had arisen at short notice and the Council had had to move quickly to take advantage of the opportunity. He thanked Councillor Davies, Chairman of Scrutiny Panel, for agreeing that this item could be added to the agenda, notwithstanding that due to the need to proceed quickly the provisions of the Access to Information Regulations 2012 had not been met.
Councillor Davies, Chairman of Scrutiny Panel, attended and with the consent of the Chairman addressed the Committee. Whilst she had given her consent for the item to be considered, this did not mean that all her concerns about the decision had been allayed, and she was disappointed that a press statement had been issued before she had the opportunity to fully consider the issues. To prevent a repetition, Councillor Davies suggested that the Chairman of the Scrutiny Panel should in future be consulted at the same time as the Chairman as Cabinet needed to take the role of Scrutiny Panel seriously and place its trust in the Chairman of the Panel. She also proposed that the Leader should meet with her to discuss how this could best be achieved.
Councillor Smith, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, thanked Councillor Davies. He expressed his regret that there had been issues with the consultation process with Councillor Davies on this occasion due to the need to move quickly and confirmed that he was happy to meet with her.
RESOLVED that:-
(a)
The confidential report on Part B of the agenda for the purchase of land and buildings at 8-13 Osborne Street, car park at Vineyard Street and 4 Arthur Street be noted.
(b)
The request in Part B of the agenda for delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Commercial and Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Regeneration to conclude the purchase within a set time period as required by the vendor.
REASONS
In a report to Cabinet on 17 March 2014 Cabinet agreed to set aside funds in the RIF to acquire land required for the development of the Vineyard Gate scheme.
Whilst negotiations are still ongoing to bring forward a scheme on the land, an opportunity has arisen to purchase land belonging to Caddick Developments as they now wish to dispose of their ownerships in Colchester. The ability to secure a greater land holding in this area provides the Council with a stronger negotiating position in any future discussions but also gives it the ability to accelerate the process of delivery.
The vendor has indicated that they wish to complete any sale within 4 weeks of issue of legal document.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
The Council could have decided not to purchase these sites, however, if they were purchased by a third party, who improved them, then this could result in a higher compulsory purchase price for the Council when redevelopment and full site assembly is required.