Agenda item

Purpose:  to discuss and make recommendation for the freehold disposal of York House.

Resolved that the Executive delegate to the Executive Director Resources and the Executive Portfolio Holder for Finance and Economic Development, the disposal of the freehold of York House on the open market (either through a marketing agent or auction).

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 11 November 2022, then it will be implemented.

Councillor Howard Woollaston introduced the report (Agenda Item 12), which provided options and made a recommendation for the freehold disposal of York House

Councillor Adrian Abbs commented that there did not appear to be any justification or reasoning to dispose of the property and expressed concern at disposing of an asset at a time when property was not likely to obtain its best value. Councillor Woollaston responded that the property team had consulted all services within the Council and that nobody wished to occupy the building.

Councillor Tony Vickers noted that a feasibility study for use of the building was still awaited and queried whether it was the correct time for disposal.

Councillor Carolyne Culver commented that it was a shame that the social housing option could not be pursued and queried the size of site required to be viable for social housing. Councillor Woollaston responded that the size required was approximately half an acre, and that York House was only one third of an acre.

Councillor Alan Macro noted that the property had been used as a ‘touchpoint’ for the Rough Sleeping Team, and queried what alternative arrangement was now in place. Councillor Woollaston agreed to discuss further under Part II. 

Recommendation (Vote to be taken in Part II). That Executive:

Resolve to delegate to the Executive Director Resources and the Executive Portfolio Holder for Finance and Economic Development, the disposal of the freehold of York House on the open market (either through a marketing agent or auction).

Other options considered:

·       Do nothing. The property is currently vacant, has no current operational need and costing WBC revenue funding to maintain the vacant property. Not recommended.

·       There remains the opportunity to progress the proposal from the WBC Education Service for the purposes of education for young people with SEN & SEND, specifically young people of secondary age who are emotionally based school avoiders (EBSA). This option is not yet certain and more detailed feasibility work is required to offer certainty to progress. This will prolong the period of vacancy for the site.

·       Option has already been pursued in 2018 for the purposes of the redevelopment for ASC respite care. This was withdrawn by the service.

·       Option has already been pursued in 2018 for the potential disposal of the site to the West Berkshire Council and Sovereign Housing Association, Joint venture. Feedback was that the site was too small for viable redevelopment.

·       Option has already been pursued in 2020/21 for the leasing out of the site to a local GP Practice which has expressed an interest. The GP practice withdrew following a site visit.

·       Option has already been pursued in 2021/22 following expression of interest from St. Barts School. Following numerous communications St. Barts has not progressed this any further.

·       During 2018, the WBC Housing Team expressed an interest in development of the site for emergency accommodation for the homeless. This proposal was withdrawn by the service.

·       Further interest was expressed in 2020 by the WBC Housing Team for the development of the site for affordable housing through a procurement process with local Registered Providers. Following a procurement process there was insufficient interest to progress.

·       To retain the vacant property pending yet to be identified service need to come forward.