Purpose

 
List of Disposals relating to
the following Cabinet reports:
· 
Property Disposals (Asset Realisation)
Plan
· 
 Industrial Asset
Rationalisation Strategy
 
This report sets out a list of
disposals that were approved by Cabinet in February and May 2024.

 

Decision

Decision
 
For the reasons set
out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree:
 

i) 
That Debden House and Campsite be marketed to be sold as set out at
paragraph 4.11 of the report; and

 

ii) 
That subject to (iv) below to delegate authority to the Corporate
Director of Resources and the Corporate Director of Children &
Young People, in consultation with the Lead Member for Finance and
Corporate Services and the Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet
Member for Environment, Sustainable Transport, Children Services
and Education, to:
 

· 
conclude the sale process for Debden House, the outbuildings and
the 3 terraced houses and to take such other actions as may be
necessary to resolve the matter;

· 
conclude the sale process for Debden campsite and to take such
other actions as may be necessary to resolve the matter;

 

iii) 
To note that as set out in the body of this report and its exempt
appendices (in particular at paragraphs 4.10, 4.11 and exempt
appendix 1), the value of capital receipts arising from the sale of
the campsite in particular are predicted to vary dependent on
expected future use.

 

iv) 
The delegations set out at paragraph 2.2 of the report may not be
exercised in the event that offers received are materially lower
than set out in this report.
 
Alternatives
Considered
 

a) 
Retain asset and repurpose for other uses to support children and
young people, such as residential care, short breaks for disabled
children or by the Youth Empowerment Service. This option was
considered and rejected. There would be substantial capital costs
to adapt Debden House to be suitable for these uses, both to
address the backlog of building improvements needed and create
suitable, safe spaces for children and young people. There will be
limitations on the adaptations that could be made as Debden House
is a Grade II listed building.

b) 
Do nothing and to leave the site in its current form as a campsite,
conference and event centre, however due to the reasons set out in
this report this option is not recommend.
Pros
·
Significant high profile asset.
·
Minimises social impact. A small but significant number of Newham
campsite and conference centre users. Debden is also regularly used
for camping trips by Newham schools.
Cons:
·
Insufficient and aging facilities which require substantial
investment.
· Given
the nature of the facility, it doesn’t necessarily fit as
part of the CYPS Education portfolio, nor any other directorate of
the council, as managing a site of this nature is seen as a
specialist trading activity.
·
Campsite, conference and event centre requires significant and
on-going investment.
· Limited
staff headcount and a lack of resources to effectively manage the
site in current form.