Agenda item

Disposal of Communications House

Council is asked to:

 

1.    Approve the disposal terms set out in this report,

 

2.    Delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer and Group Head of Assets, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, to agree minor variations to the Heads of Terms and adjustments to the sale price; and

 

3.    Delegate authority to the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter into a transfer to complete the disposal and any ancillary legal documentation required in relation to the proposed disposal.

Minutes:

Council considered a report to approve the proposed disposal of Communications House on the terms set out in the report.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Boughtflower, and seconded by Councillor Williams that the Council support the recommendation from the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee:

 

“To defer any decision on disposal of Communications House until the Staines Masterplan has been agreed.”

 

The Council resolved to exclude public and press for part of the discussion of this item 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.

 

A recorded vote on the amendment was requested and the results were as follows:

For (22):

Arnold, Barker, Bateson, Beatty, Beecher, Boparai, Boughtflower, Brennan, Burrell, Button, Clarke, J Doran, S Doran, Geach, Geraci, Grant, Gyawali, Howkins, Mooney, Rutherford, Sexton, Williams

Against (0):

 

Abstain (7):

Dunn, Gibson, Bhadye, Bing Dong, Neall, Nichols, Turner

 

The Council resolved to agree the amended motion.

 

Councillor Geach left the meeting at 22:08

 

The Council resolved to defer any decision on disposal of Communications House until the Staines Masterplan has been agreed.

 

N.B. Subsequent to the meeting, on 23 October 2026, the Council received instructions under Powers Provided by the Best Value Directions from Spelthorne’s Commissioners requiring the Council to carry out the recommendations of the report. (attached)

Supporting documents: