Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: December 4, 2025

Purpose: To award delegated authority to appoint external property agents to commence formal marketing and to negotiate terms for a disposal of Land at Salt Box Road at best consideration

Content: Decision: 1.                     Note the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 18 November 2025 and set out at paragraph 11 of this report; and   2.                     Delegate Authority to the Joint Assistant Director for Assets and Property, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Joint Strategic Director for Finance and Resources, to commence formal marketing and to negotiate terms for a disposal of Land at Salt Box Road, Worplesdon at best consideration and to enter into all relevant legal documentation required to complete the sale.   Reason(s): To enable the Council to generate capital receipts through the sale of approved property and land assets to contribute to the £50m (net) target, as set out in the Financial Recovery Plan to reduce Council debt and to achieve a sustainable financial position.   Other options considered and rejected by the Executive: 1.                     Do nothing and adopt a business as usual approach to this asset continuing to seek to licence the land for grazing use and generating (limited) rental income. This option would not provide a capital receipt to contribute towards the targeted capital receipts of £50m and may also result in the Council incurring future revenue or capital expenditure to manage the land in the future.    2.                     Continue to explore the option for development of a Solar Farm on the land which may assist in potentially offsetting the Council’s requirement to purchase carbon credits to the value of £154,000 over a 20 year project life span. This option would however fail to deliver a capital receipt to contribute towards the £50M target agreed as part of the Financial Recovery Plan. Further, the feasibility study undertaken suggested any positive return was marginal at best when other external factors were considered.   Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted: None.