Purpose

Proposed decision: The Deputy Leader to
agree to:
 
1.   
the disposal of Sevenoaks Adult Education Centre, Hatton House,
Bradbourne Road, TN13 3QN; and
 
2.   
delegate authority to The Director of Infrastructure, in
consultation with the Deputy Leader, to finalise the terms of the
disposal and execution of all necessary, or desirable documentation
required to implement the above.
 

Reason for the decision
The
property is surplus to the Council’s operational requirements
and due to its projected value, disposal will require a Key
Decision as per Kent County Council’s (KCC)
Constitution.

Background
A
service decision was taken in July 2024, which set out the changes
in focus and scope from Central Government in relation to the
delivery of the community skills and learning service. As a result,
the service will be delivered in a different way going forwards and
the Sevenoaks Adult Education building will no longer be
required.  There are no other suitable
services that require use of the building and therefore the
property will be surplus to the Councils requirements when it is
vacated by the service in the Summer.
 
The
site currently comprises the Sevenoaks Adult Education Centre,
housed in a building (‘Hatton House”) originally
constructed in 1874 as a private residence as well as associated
outbuildings and parking. The site area is approximately 0.6ha with
direct access via Bradbourne Road. It
is proposed to market the site through our appointed agents, and it
is expected that the level of net sales receipts to KCC will be
over the £1m delegated threshold, which will therefore
require a Key Decision.
 

Options (other options considered but
discarded)

-            
Reuse the site.

-            
Hold the site as an investment and seek a
tenant.

-            
Continue to hold the site vacant in case of a future
requirement.

-            
Disposal of the asset. This is the recommended
option.
 
How the proposed decision supports the

Framing Kent's Future - Our Council
Strategy 2022-2026
This
decision supports Framing Kent’s Future - Our Council
Strategy 2022 - 2026 as the disposal will release a surplus
brownfield site, providing a redevelopment opportunity to help
towards the County’s housing targets.
 
How the proposed decision
supports
Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026:
Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery
Strategy
This
decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022-2026 by
securing a capital receipt to invest in KCC’s priority
projects and programmes whilst also streamlining KCC’s
property portfolio, achieving financial and efficiency
benefits.
 

Decision

As Deputy Leader, I agree to:
 
1.         the
disposal of Sevenoaks Adult Education Centre, Hatton House,
Bradbourne Road, TN13 3QN; and
 
2.         delegate
authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with
the Deputy Leader, to finalise the terms of the disposal and
execution of all necessary or desirable documentation required to
implement the above.