Issue - meetings

To seek approval for the proposed sale of the former Buerton Primary School buildings, school house and associated playing fields.

The Cabinet Member for Procurement, Assets and Shared Services considered a report on the proposed sale of the former Buerton Primary School buildings, school house and associated playing fields.

The school, school house and adjoining playing fields were formally declared surplus to the requirements of Cheshire County Council at a meeting of the Children’s Services Executive on 10 November 2006. Representations were subsequently made regarding the possible transfer of the school playing field to Buerton Parish Council in order to maintain a valuable local community facility. Representations were also made that part of the school buildings might be offered to the local community for their continued use as the local meeting place for groups such as the Women’s Institute and for Parish Council meetings.

Following discussions with the Parish Council, it was concluded that the transfer of any part of the school buildings to the community would place a severe financial burden on limited Parish finances, owing to the need for initial adaptations and ongoing maintenance and repair costs. It was therefore proposed that the playing fields should be transferred to the Parish Council free of charge, and that the school buildings and school house should be offered for sale on the open market. The Parish Council would accept all future maintenance costs for the playing fields, with Cheshire East Council making a contribution equal to 10% of the net capital receipt for the school buildings to offset the financial burden.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet Member for Procurement, Assets and Shared Services

approves:

(1)   the freehold sale of the land edged green on the plan attached to the report (the former Buerton Primary School buildings and school house);

(2)   the freehold transfer of the land edged red on the plan (the former Buerton Primary School playing fields) to Buerton Parish Council at nil consideration; and

(3)   that a licence agreement be entered into with Buerton Parish Council to enable the Parish Council to occupy the land shaded blue on the plan until such a time as the land edged green is sold; the land shaded blue to be sold with the school house and school buildings.