Decision details

To report on the implications of selling 29 Castle Hill, Lancaster by auction, and to request Cabinet approval to sell the property.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Archer)

The Corporate Director (Regeneration) submitted a report informing Members on the implications of selling 29 Castle Hill by auction, and to obtain approval to sell the property as detailed in the report.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment, were set out in the report as follows:

Option 1 - To sell 29 Castle Hill, Lancaster by auction, to authorise the Head of Property Services to set the auction reserve in conjunction with the Auctioneer, to agree to the payment of his fees and to authorise the relevant officers to complete the sale.  This would be in accordance with the Council’s approval to dispose of surplus properties.

Option 2 - Sell the property by alternative methods e.g. private treaty.  As similar sales have fallen through in the past, this could not guarantee a disposal.

Option 3 - Not to sell the property.  This would not be accordance with the Council’s approval to dispose of the premises, the premises are listed in the General Fund Disposal schedule.  The City Council would be left with recurring management liabilities and costs.

Option 1 is the Officer preferred option, for the reasons outlined above and that Cabinet approves the disposal by auction and to authorise the relevant officers to complete the sale. 

It was moved by Councillor Archer and seconded by Councillor Kerr:-

“(1)      That 29 Castle Hill, Lancaster, be sold at auction.”

Members then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That 29 Castle Hill, Lancaster, be sold at auction.

It was moved by Councillor Archer and seconded by Councillor Kerr:-

“(2)      That the Head of Property Services be authorised to fix the auction reserve in conjunction with the Auctioneer, to agree to the payment of the auctioneers fees and to authorise the relevant officers to complete the sale.”

Members then voted:-

Resolved:

(8 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Burns, Fletcher, Gilbert and Kerr) voted in favour and 2 Members (Councillors Charles and Mace) voted against)

(2)        That the Head of Property Services be authorised to fix the auction reserve in conjunction with the Auctioneer, to agree to the payment of the auctioneers fees and to authorise the relevant officers to complete the sale.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Corporate Director (Regeneration)

Head of Property Services

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is in accordance with the Council’s policy to dispose of surplus properties.