Agenda item

It was noted that Members of the Committee had been invited to visit the site before the meeting.

Members considered a business case exploring the future options for Warren Lodge located on the Eastern Moors Estate. It was noted that as the estate had been purchased with the help of a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, 52.63% of the proceeds of sale would have to be repaid to the Fund. As a consequence Chief Executive declared a personal interest in this item as, although he had not yet taken up the position, he had recently been appointed as a trustee of the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

During the discussion it was noted that the officer recommendation to carry out a modest upgrade and then rent the property on a short term residential tenancy before selling was presented as a finely balanced judgement. Therefore a motion to sell the property as soon as possible without a short term rental was moved, seconded, put to vote and carried.

It was noted that as a consequence of the decision the rental income estimates for the property would be removed from the 2014/15 budget.

RESOLVED:

To sell the property as soon as possible having maximised its planning gain.

Cllr Mrs G Heath and Cllr S Marshall-Clark left the meeting at 1.55pm during consideration of this item.