Agenda item

(CSP: 2, 4 & 6)

Purpose:  To consider the sale of the former Control Tower at Greenham Common.

Resolved that:

(1)    Subject to confirmation of the funding package detailed in Part II that the Control Tower and associated land be offered to Greenham Parish Council, but

(2)    In the absence of such confirmation by 24^th January 2014 then the Control Tower be offered to one of the other bidders.

It is recommended that Officers in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to be given delegated authority to agree the terms of the sale to the purchaser and to exchange contracts by 31^st March 2014.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 27^th December 2013, then it will be implemented.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 10) concerning the sale of the former Control Tower at Greenham Common.

Councillor Alan Law outlined the process that had been undertaken for the consideration of selling the Control Tower. As the Control Tower was listed as a property of community value the Community Right to Bid process outlined in the Localism Act had to be followed.

The property was put on the open market in the Spring of 2013 and seven offers were received. Following consideration of these offers by the Asset Management Group, a shortlist of three offers was formed. All three shortlisted candidates were invited to provide a presentation of their schemes which was followed by a question and answer session. The information obtained from the presentations and that previously supplied was then assessed on the following basis:

(1)          Capital receipt offered.

(2)          Capital funding secured.

(3)          Funding to run the community offering and strength of business plan.

(4)          Financial covenant strength and track record of applicant.

(5)          Contribution to local economy – e.g. which groups would benefit, use of building by local interest groups, availability of public access.

(6)          Interaction/consideration with adjoining use of Greenham Common.

There was also a need to take account of additional factors such as the petition submitted, signed by 1,292 signatories, which requested that the Control Tower should be in the hands of the community, for the benefit of the community; and the fact that the Community Right to Bid process had to be followed for the first time.

Councillor Law considered that the community benefit of the Greenham Parish Council bid outweighed the difference between their offer and that of the other shortlisted candidates and he therefore endorsed the recommended action outlined in the report for the Control Tower and associated land to be offered to Greenham Parish Council. However, this was subject to confirmation and acceptance of the funding package detailed in the Part II report by 24 January 2014. In the absence of this confirmation by 24 January 2014, the Control Tower would be offered to one of the other bidders.

Councillor Pamela Bale, who was Portfolio Holder for this area of activity when the Control Tower was listed as an asset of community value under the Community Right to Bid, was pleased that the stage had been reached where an acceptable offer had been received.

Councillor Hilary Cole, Portfolio Holder for Countryside, looked forward to the time when the Control Tower would be developed as this would enhance Greenham Common and make it more attractive for the community.

Councillor Gordon Lundie commented that he had watched with interest the developments of this site for some time. Members were of the view that it should be developed for the benefit of the community, which would allow for the reflection of the important role of the Greenham Common Base and that played by peace groups on the site. He was delighted with the proposal being recommended to the Executive.

Councillor Lundie was also pleased to note that Greenham Parish Council and Greenham Common Trust would work together in bringing the development of the Control Tower to its completion and work through any challenges that were presented.

Finally, Councillor Lundie pointed out that West Berkshire Council had foregone achieving the maximum financial gain from selling the property to the highest bidder, with a view to maximising benefits to the community which included enabling public access to the Control Tower.

RESOLVED that, following consideration of the offers as discussed in the Part II section of this report; and

·        subject to confirmation of the funding package detailed in Part II, that the Control Tower and associated land be offered to Greenham Parish Council, but

·        in the absence of such confirmation by 24 January 2014 then the Control Tower would be offered to one of the other bidders,

Officers, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, be given delegated authority to agree the terms of the sale to the purchaser and to exchange contracts by 31 March 2014.

Reason for the decision: To progress the disposal of the Control Tower and to bring a redundant property back into use.

Other options considered: That the property be sold to one of the other bidders.