Purpose

To seek authority for the Assistant Director
of Property & infrastructure to dispose of Breckland owned
assets below market value provided there is a social, economic, or
community value.

Decision

RESOLVED that:
 
1)   
Agree to give delegated authority to the Assistant Director for
Property and Projects for Breckland District Council (BDC) in
conjunction with the Executive Member for Property, Projects &
Procurement, to transfer assets at an under value where the
attributed value for the asset is £10,000 or less and where
there is clear and demonstrable social, economic, or community
benefit in accordance with the Secretary of State’s General
Consent Order and the Community Asset Transfer Policy
 

Reasons for the decision

Agreeing to permit disposals of BDC-owned
assets at less than best consideration, where there is clear and
demonstrable social, economic and/or community benefit, will enable
the Council to maximise the overall public value derived from its
land and property holdings. In many cases, the long-term benefits
to local communities arising from local ownership and management
outweigh the limited capital receipt that might otherwise be
achieved through disposal at market value.
 
Enabling disposals at an undervalue supports
the Council’s strategic objectives by empowering Town and
Parish Councils and community organisations to take on greater
responsibility for assets that are of local importance. This can
result in improved stewardship, increased community use, and more
sustainable long-term management of assets that might otherwise be
underutilised or require ongoing Council resources.
 

Alternative options considered

1)   
Agree to give delegated authority to the Assistant Director for
Property and Projects for Breckland District Council in conjunction
with the Executive Member for Property, Projects & Procurement
for BDC to dispose of land and property assets at less than best
consideration where the attributed value for the asset is
£10,000 or less (except in cases where demonstrable community
benefit will arise on certain sites valued above £10k) and
where there is clear social, economic and/or community benefit, in
accordance with the Secretary of State’s General Disposal
Consent (England) 2003 and the Council’s adopted policies and
governance arrangements.
 
2)   
Do nothing – retain requirement for market value
disposals.
Do not agree to disposals at an undervalue and require that all
land and property assets are disposed of at or above market value,
irrespective of any wider social, economic or community benefits
that may arise from alternative ownership or management
arrangements.  This option could
preclude the Parish and Town Councils securing the land they wish
for their communities which would be disadvantageous to our
residents and businesses.