Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for non-attendance and details of Member substitutions.

Apologies were received from Councillor Gale, with Councillor Beecher in attendance as their substitute.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 07 October 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 07 October 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from members in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were none.

The Chair, or his nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 40.

At the time of publication of this agenda no questions were received.

There were none.

To consider any urgent action that have arisen since last meeting.

There were none.

To note the Forward Plan for future Commercial Assets Sub-Committee business.

Councillor Nichols queried whether the End of Project reports would be ready for the December meeting and was advised that they would be pushed back to the January 2025 meeting.

The Sub-Committee resolved to note the forward plan for future committee business.

To note the Half Year Commercial Property Portfolio Review.

The Sub-Committee received a report from the Principle Asset Manager on the Half Year Portfolio Review. The Sub-Committee were advised that the South East market remains challenging and that the investment market was still quiet. The retail market was faring better with spending up by 2% with £1.1b in retail sales within the first six months of 2024.

The Sub-Committee requested clarification on the private and public version of the report and were advised that the changes were in section 4 and the summary.

It was proposed by Councillor Beecher, seconded by Councillor Beatty and resolved to exclude the public and press for the remainder of the item, in accordance with paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 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 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 being able to undertake even-handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms.

The Sub-Committee returned to open session.

The Sub-Committee resolved to note the report.

To move the exclusion of the Press/Public for the following items, in view of the likely disclosure of 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.

It was proposed by Councillor Beatty, seconded by Councillor Chandler and resolved to exclude the public and press for the following agenda items, in accordance with paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 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 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 being able to undertake even-handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms.

To receive an update on the rent collection, voids and arrears of the Commercial Portfolio.

The Sub-Committee received updates on the commercial portfolio from the Principle Asset Manager.

The Sub-Committee resolved to note the updates.

To consider a report on the proposed lease variation for the part 10^th Floor of Thames Tower, Reading.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on the proposed lease variation for the part 10^th Floor of Thames Tower.

The Sub-Committee resolved to agree to the recommendations as set out in the report, subject to further information being provided to the Chair and Vice-Chair on the profitability of the proposal.

To consider a report on the proposed settlement of Dilapidations and the appointment of a contractor for the ground floor suite, Charter Building.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on the proposed settlement of Dilapidations  and the appointment of a contractor for the ground floor suite, Charter Building.

The Sub-Committee resolved to agree to the recommendations as set out in the report.

To consider a report on the proposed letting terms for suite 2, second floor, Charter Building.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on the proposed letting terms for suite 2, second floor, Charter Building.

The Sub-Committee resolved to agree to the recommendations as set out in the report.

To consider a report on the draft exit strategy for each investment asset.

The Sub-Committee considered draft exit strategies for five properties in the Asset Portfolio.

The meeting adjourned for five minutes and Councillor Saliagopoulos left at 15:30pm.

Councillor Beatty left the meeting at 4:00pm.

The Sub-Committee resolved to approve the form and detail of the Exit Strategy for each investment asset.

To consider an urgent item on a proposed letting for Unit 24 in the Elmsleigh Shopping Centre, Staines-upon-Thames.

The Chair authorised the addition of this item to the agenda for the following reason:

“Due to an urgent decision being needed, this item has been added as it would not have been practicable to delay consideration until the next meeting of the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee.”

This report contains 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.

The Sub-Committee considered an urgent item on a proposed letting for Unit 24 in the Elmsleigh Shopping Centre, Staines-upon-Thames.

The Chair authorised the addition of this item to the agenda for the following reason: “Due to an urgent decision being needed, this item has been added as it would not have been practicable to delay consideration until the next meeting of the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee.”

The Sub-Committee resolved to agree to the recommendations as set out in the report.

To consider an urgent item on a proposed lease renewal for units in the Elmsleigh Shopping Centre, Staines-upon-Thames.

The Chair authorised the addition of this item to the agenda for the following reason:

“Due to an urgent decision being needed, this item has been added as it would not have been practicable to delay consideration until the next meeting of the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee.”

This report contains 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.

The Sub-Committee considered an urgent item on a proposed lease renewal for units in the Elmsleigh Shopping Centre, Staines-upon-Thames.

The Chair authorised the addition of this item to the agenda for the following reason:

“Due to an urgent decision being needed, this item has been added as it would not have been practicable to delay consideration until the next meeting of the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee.”

The Sub-Committee resolved to agree to the recommendations as set out in the report.