Minutes of the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee

7 September 2026

 

 

Present:

Councillor L. E. Nichols (Chair)

Councillor D. Saliagopoulos (Vice-Chair)

 

Councillors:

 

S.N. Beatty

R. Chandler

 

H.R.D. Williams

 

 

Apologies:

M. Bunney

 

 

In Attendance:

Councillors K. Howkins

 

 

<AI1>

60/26    

Apologies for absence & substitutions

 

Apologies were received from the independent member of the Sub-Committee, Mark Bunney.

 

</AI1>

<AI2>

61/26    

Minutes

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 August 2026 were agreed as a correct record.

 

</AI2>

<AI3>

62/26    

Disclosure of Interest

 

Councillor Williams advised he was employed part-time at a unit in the Elmsleigh Centre.

 

</AI3>

<AI4>

63/26    

Questions from members of the Public

 

There were none.

 

</AI4>

<AI5>

64/26    

Urgent Actions

 

There were none.

 

</AI5>

<AI6>

65/26    

Forward Plan

 

The Sub-Committee received the forward plan for future sub-committee business.

 

The Sub-Committee resolved to note the forward plan.

 

</AI6>

<AI7>

66/26    

Exclusion of Public and Press (Exempt Business)

 

The Chair wished to discuss as much of the remaining items on the agenda in public session, and suggested the public and press be excluded only when necessary during debate.

 

</AI7>

<AI8>

67/26    

Commercial Portfolio Update

 

The Sub-Committee received updates on the progress with asset rationalisation as well as rent collection, arrears and voids within the Commercial Portfolio.

 

The Sub-Committee resolved to note the updates.

 

</AI8>

<AI9>

68/26    

Disposal of Elmbrook House and 17 Station Road, Sunbury

 

This item was discussed before Item 8, “Commercial Portfolio Update.”

 

The Chair read a statement from the Sub-Committee’s Independent Member which endorsed the officer recommendation.

 

The Sub-Committee noted the offers received and explored the reasons the preferred bidder was recommended. The sale price was interrogated with reference to site-specific characteristics. The Sub-Committee noted that two buildings were included in the sale, and discussed the options for the development of the site.

 

It was proposed by Cllr Beatty, seconded by Cllr Nichols and resolved to exclude public and press for part of the discussion of this item and for the remainder of the agenda in accordance with paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government 1972 (as amended) because it was likely to disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because the disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in being able to undertake even handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms.

 

The Chair advised he would provide a note summarising the committee’s considerations and questions to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee ahead of their consideration of the report (attached).

 

</AI9>

<AI10>

69/26    

Property Investment Report

 

This item was discussed under item 8, Commercial Portfolio Update.

 

</AI10>

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