Issue - meetings

Council is asked to consider a recommendation from the Business, Infrastructure and Growth Committee regarding the preferred bidder for the disposal of the development site known as Ashford Victory Place.

This item is to be considered at the Business, Infrastructure and Growth Committee to be held on Thursday 13 March 2025 so therefore may be subject to amendments.

The appendices of this report contain exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006:

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in any lease, contract, or other type of negotiation with the tenant or developer, who could then know the position of the Council.

Council considered the disposal of the development site known as Ashford Victory Place in Ashford.

Proposed by: Councillor Boughtflower

Seconded by: Councillor Clarke

Under Standing Order 17 (K), to adjourn the meeting so that a decision on the sale of Ashford Victory Place could be deferred until the Government had confirmed that they would be appointing a Commissioner and they had started working with the Council.

Councillor Boughtflower asked for a recorded vote.

The motion FELL

A recorded vote was requested by Councillor Williams

Council resolved to:

a)    Approve bidder A and the disposal of the development site known as Ashford victory Place in Ashford as set out in the appendices,

b)    Delegate authority to the Group Head of Assets in consultation with the Chair and Vice chair of the Business, Infrastructure & Growth Committee to agree detailed Heads of Terms in respect of the disposal of Ashford victory Place with the preferred bidder and;

c)    Delegate authority to the Group Head of corporate Governance to enter into a transfer and any ancillary legal documentation required in relation to the disposal of Ashford victory Place to bidder A.

To consider and make a recommendation to Council regarding the preferred bidder for the disposal of the development site known as Ashford Victory Place.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Select Bidder A as the preferred bidder.

The Committee resolved to recommend to Council to:

1.    Approve the disposal of Ashford Victory Place to Bidder A.

2.    Delegate authority to the Group Head of Assets in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Business, Infrastructure and Growth Committee to agree detailed Heads of Terms in respect of the disposal of Ashford Victory Place with Bidder A.

3.    Delegate authority to the Group Head Corporate Governance to enter into any necessary legal documentation to complete the disposal of Ashford Victory Place to Bidder A.

The Committee considered a report on the disposal of Ashford Victory Place. Following a request by the Committee for interested parties to re-consider their offers to include a greater housing provision of affordable housing, two revised bids had been received. The Asset Manager highlighted the differences in the two bids, and advised the Committee that between publication of the report and the meeting taking place, Bidder B had revised their position with a lower offer, and confirmation of funding could not provided until later in the year.

Members of the Committee expressed concern about the affordable housing numbers being adhered to, and were advised this would be a contractual obligation. Some members of the Committee also felt the offers were not clear that all social housing provided would be provided to Spelthorne residents. Other members of the Committee expressed concern over the value for money the offers provided and felt the decision should be deferred. The Committee acknowledged the revised position on the offer put forward by Bidder B and felt Bidder A provided more certainty for the Council. Some members voiced that it was in the best interest of residents to accept Bidder A’s offer so work could begin on the site sooner.

It was proposed by Councillor Clarke, seconded by Councillor Boughtflower and resolved to enter closed session so that any remaining questions regarding the confidential appendices could be answered.

The Committee re-entered public session.

It was proposed by Councillor Boughtflower, seconded by Councillor Bateson and resolved to suspend Standing Order 38.3 to continue the meeting beyond three hours.

The Committee resolved to select a preferred bidder from the offers put forward.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Select Bidder A as the preferred bidder.

The Committee resolved to recommend to Council to:

1.    Approve the disposal of Ashford Victory Place to Bidder A.

2.    Delegate authority to the Group Head of Assets in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Business, Infrastructure and Growth Committee to agree detailed Heads of Terms in respect of the disposal of Ashford Victory Place with Bidder A.

3.    Delegate authority to the Group Head Corporate Governance to enter into any necessary legal documentation to complete the disposal of Ashford Victory Place to Bidder A.

Meeting ended 22:00