In a meeting of the Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure, Surrey County Council's landholding at Northloo Sewage Pumping Station was declared surplus and approved for transfer to Thames Water Authority, and the disposal of 26 St Martins Close was approved. The public was excluded from the meeting for discussion of these items due to the disclosure of exempt financial information.

Disposal of 26 St Martins Close

Councillor Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure, approved the sale of 26 St Martins Close, East Horsley, Leatherhead, KT24 6SU, and formally declared the asset as surplus to operational requirements. The sale is conditional on the simultaneous surrender of the headlease currently held by Halsey Garton Residential Ltd (HGR).

The property, a three-bedroom terraced house, was transferred to HGR in August 2020 under a 40-year lease. Following an open marketing campaign by Curchods, a residential marketing agency, terms were agreed to sell the freehold interest. The HGR Board requested the property be handed back to the council and sold, as the council has no operational requirements for it.

The Cabinet Member also approved the HGR premium for surrendering its interest from the gross receipt. Authority was delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Director of Land and Property, to finalise the transaction and enter into all associated legal agreements.

The council's registered valuer confirmed that the proposed transaction supports best value in accordance with the requirements of Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972¹.

Under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972, local authorities have the power to dispose of property in any manner they wish subject to the disposal being for the best consideration reasonably obtainable.

The Disposal of 26 St Martins Close East Horsley Leatherhead P1 report noted several potential risks and mitigating actions:

• Purchaser withdrawing from the purchase: The council has the ability to remarket the asset.
• Void costs: HGR will continue to manage the asset until its formal sale.
• Mortgage-ability and funding: Details are in the part 2 report.
• Net Zero Carbon targets: Details are in the part 2 report.
• Survey: Details are in the part 2 report.

The report also stated that a full Equality Impact Assessment was not needed, as the proposed disposal was not expected to impact adversely on any specific parties.

Northloo Sewage Pumping Station Land

Councillor Natalie Bramhall also formally declared Surrey County Council’s landholding at Northloo Sewage Pumping Station, Reigate Road, Epsom, as surplus to operational requirements. She approved the freehold transfer to Thames Water Authority for use as a sewage pumping station, including temporary car park access for the council.

The council's landholding consists of a 138 square metre site, including a 9.44 square metre plant room. Thames Water Authority has occupied the site since 1989. The transfer aims to regularise the ownership, as Thames Water Authority took over the statutory sewerage undertaking from the council in 1974.

The Deputy Chief Executive, Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer was delegated authority to finalise the transaction and conclude the legal agreement documentation, in consultation with the Director of Land and Property.

The council's registered valuer confirmed that the proposed transaction supports best value, in accordance with Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972. Thames Water Authority will reimburse the council’s reasonable legal costs.

The Item 4 - North Looe Sewage Pumping Station Land-Surplus Asset Declaration Statutory Transfer report stated that there is no immediate financial impact from this decision, as the landholding has not been generating income. A full Equality Impact Assessment was deemed unnecessary as the transaction does not adversely affect any specific parties.