Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: December 18, 2025

Purpose: The Cabinet considered a report recommending the disposal of nine surplus property assets: the Palace Cinema, Broadstairs; land at Sacketts Gap, Margate, land at St John’s Cemetery, Margate; Rossetti Gardens, Birchington; land adjacent 19 Liverpool Lawn, Ramsgate; land off Fitzroy Avenue, Botany Bay; the Edwardian lift and kiosk, Ramsgate; land adjacent to the former Westbrook toilets, Margate; and the toilet block at Albion Street, Broadstairs. The disposal of surplus assets is crucial in generating capital receipts, which is essential for funding the council’s approved Capital Programme as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan.

Content: Cabinet approved the following:   1.  The asset disposal of the Palace Cinema, Broadstairs to the current leaseholder by way of Private Treaty, and if this is not successful report back to cabinet;   2.  The open market disposal of land at Sacketts Gap, Margate;   3.  The asset disposal of land at St John’s Cemetery;   4.  The asset disposal of Rossetti Gardens, Birchington;   5.  The asset disposal of the land adjacent to 19 Liverpool Lawn, Ramsgate;   6.  The asset disposal of the land off Fitzroy Avenue, Botany Bay;   7.  The asset disposal of the Edwardian lift and kiosk, Ramsgate, subject to a covenant requiring its use as a lift;   8.  The asset disposal of the land adjacent to Westbrook toilets, Margate;   9.  The asset disposal of the toilet block at Albion Street, Broadstairs.

Reasons for the decision: The properties have been identified surplus to council requirements. There is cost and risk to the council associated with retaining these properties on a long term basis. Their disposals will generate crucial capital receipts needed to fund the council’s capital expenditure programme.

Alternative options considered: The options to retain the assets and repurpose them were all rejected because they would be financially imprudent, fail to generate the necessary capital funds for the council, and would not address the financial or safety risks associated with retaining the properties on a long term basis.