MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON TUESDAY, 22 JUNE 2004 COMMENCING AT 11.00 AM

 

Present :

 

Mrs M J Lloyd (Chairman), Mr M J Cunningham, Mr P D Joyce, Mr R G Mazillius (deputising for Mrs B Lawson), Mrs M J Miller, Mr V J Morey, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards (deputising for Mr D T Yates), Mr I R Stephens

 

Apologies :

 

Mrs B Lawson, Mr D T Yates

 

Portfolio Holders :

 

Mr R R Barry, Mrs T M Butchers

 

Also Present (non voting) :

 

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J A Bowker,

 

 

8.           MINUTES

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2004 were confirmed.

 

9.           DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

Mr R R Barry declared a personal interest as a user of the premises involved.

 

10.       CALL-IN OF THE EXECUTIVE – MINUTE 11 – SEAVIEW ROPE WALK TOILETS SALE AND ALTERNATIVE PROVISION AT SEAVIEW HOTEL

 

(During discussion Mrs M J Miller declared a personal interest as the Chairman of the Development Control Committee and would take no part in the debate)

 

The Chairman invited Members who had called in the decision to outline their reasons for their objections. These included :

 

·                     Concerns that the Council was not achieving the best financial deal.

·                     Lack of information on the open market price of the site.

·                     The commercial advantages gained by the hotel did not represent best value to the Council.

·                     A thorough investigation of alternative options had not been fully considered.

 

The Head of Property Services provided details of the Executive’s decision to sell the public conveniences in exchange for the Seaview Hotel providing and maintaining the facilities. This option represented a value of £132,400 to the Council. This included a capital receipt of £30,000, revenue savings and capital works to be undertaken by the purchaser. Alternatively, Members were advised that the Council’s land had an open market value of approximately £200,000. If this option was to be pursued the Council could would still be required to provide facilities. The cost of a new build would be approximately £170,000 together with on-going running costs which would run into negative figures.

 

Members discussed alternative options. These included selling one of the buildings at open market value and converting the other building into a public convenience. The Portfolio Holder for Resources indicated that this option did have some merit but consideration needed to be given to other issues such as allowing the hotel a opportunity to develop tourism in the local area. The Portfolio Holder also confirmed that the Parish Council wished to maintain a public facility and believed that the hotel would ensure that the toilets would be well maintained without cost to the Council.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development, Environment and Planning Policy confirmed that through the work of a previous Public Conveniences Task Group the Council did have a strategy for public conveniences throughout the Island. The conclusion reached by this group was that there was a need to continue the provision of toilets but if alternative ways of doing so could be achieved which reduced the Councils revenue expenditure advantage be taken of this.

 

Discussion ensued regarding the decision being subject to Planning Permission. It was suggested that the proposed arrangements be delayed pending determination of this application to establish the true market value of the site and ensure best value for the Council. The Head of Property Services advised the Committee that such an approach was unlikely to be acceptable to the owners of the Hotel for lack of certainty and that in accordance with good practice guidance concerning best consideration, the Council had received advice from two professionally qualified consultants.

 

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING POLICY :

 

That it be recommended to the Portfolio Holders that the proposed arrangements at Seaview Hotel be delayed pending determination of the Planning Application for this site and consideration of financial benefits of the other alternatives.

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN