Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relating to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

No members of the public were present.

To consider the acquisition of this property.

That approval be given to proceed with the purchase of Mode Cottage for the sum of £470,000 and to enter into a Deed of Release/Modification with the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance in respect of the covenants affecting the use of the land.

Based on the October 2012 School Census, pupil forecasts for the Knutsford Planning Area indicated that there would be a significant shortfall of places.  Forecasts for Mobberley CE Primary indicated that there would be insufficient places at the school with more children on roll than places available. This trend was forecast to continue reaching a shortfall of 70 pupil places by 2018 based on current admission patterns. 

As a consequence Mobberley C of E Primary School was in urgent need of extending and remodelling to provide two additional classrooms together with associated storage, circulation and cloak areas.  Due to the restricted nature of the school site an original proposal had been to construct the necessary extension on the existing rear playground of the school, and to negotiate with the adjacent land-owner for the acquisition of 615m2 of farmland which would become the replacement playground.  Following protracted negotiations with the land-owner however it had not been possible to reach an agreement and the option of acquiring Mode Cottage was, therefore, considered to the best alternative option.

The acquisition of Mode Cottage would provide a site sufficient to facilitate this expansion and would also create an independent access to the school which is needed to secure the future of the site.  In July 2013 the property had been valued at £400,000 but despite protracted negotiations the seller would not consider offers less than £470,000.  As acquisition by private treaty was considered to be the only viable way to achieve the early expansion of the school it was, therefore, recommended that it be purchased at the asking price.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to proceed with the purchase of Mode Cottage for the sum of £470,000 and to enter into a Deed of Release/Modification with the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance in respect of the covenants affecting the use of the land.