Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Committee on any matter relevant to the work of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

Where a member of the public wishes to ask a question of a Cabinet Member three clear working days notice must be given to the Democratic Services Manager, and the question must be submitted in writing.

There were no questions from members of the public.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2009.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2009 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED

That the meeting be adjourned for a period of forty-five minutes so as to allow time for a detailed location plan to be prepared and circulated. 

The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Committee may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of  Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

PART 2 – MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT THE PUBLIC AND PRESS PRESENT

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of  Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

In accordance with Section 100(B) (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Chairman has agreed that, by reason of special circumstances, this report should be considered as matter of urgent business as if a decision is not made at the earliest opportunity the transaction will be put in jeopardy because of related circumstances. 

To consider the report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets.

In accordance with Section 100(B) (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Chairman had agreed that, by reason of special circumstances, this report should be considered as matter of urgent business as if a decision was not made at the earliest opportunity the transaction would be put in jeopardy because of related circumstances. 

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets and to a plan referenced A1, dated 22 September 2009, with explanatory notes, which indicated (interalia) the areas of land to be sold and retained. In considering the recommendations contained in the report the Cabinet agreed that recommendation (1) should be clarified to refer to the plan circulated at the meeting, and that (2) should be expanded to include the Portfolio Holder (Procurement, Assets and Shared Services). 

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report and as now given: -

1. That the freehold interest in County Hall, Chester and associated land, in accordance with the plan referenced A1, dated 22 September 2009 and circulated at the meeting, be sold to Chester University upon the terms outlined in Section 11 of the report.

2. That the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets, the Borough Solicitor and the Portfolio Holder (Procurement, Assets and Shared Services) be given delegated authority to finalise the details of the sale in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the report.