The Overview & Scrutiny Call-in Sub-Committee considered a call-in of a Cabinet decision made on 26 November 2024 regarding the disposal of two council-owned assets: the Equestrian Centre and 28 Mereworth Drive. The committee decided to take no further action on the call-in, allowing the Cabinet's decision to proceed.

Call-in of Asset Review Decisions

The Sub-Committee considered a call-in of a decision made by the Cabinet on 26 November 2024 concerning the disposal of two council-owned assets: the Equestrian Centre at 341 Shooters Hill and 28 Mereworth Drive. The call-in was initiated by Councillors Matt Hartley and Roger Tester, citing concerns about a lack of public and community consultation, potential impacts on neighbouring sites, and the omission of key information in the decision-making process.

During the meeting, extensive evidence was presented by both the signatories of the call-in and members of the public who had registered to speak. Concerns were raised about the potential loss of community assets, the impact on local organisations such as the Woodlands Farm Trust and Shrewsbury House Community Association, and the perceived contradiction between the council's Community Engagement Pledge and the approach taken for these disposals.

Cabinet members, including Councillor Averil Lekau (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Sustainability and Transport) and Councillor Majid Rahman (Cabinet Member for Planning, Development and Estate Renewal), defended the decision, highlighting the council's significant financial pressures and the necessity of making difficult choices to protect frontline services. They stated that the disposals were in line with government policy to sell surplus land for the best consideration reasonably obtainable and that statutory consultation requirements would be met where applicable, particularly for the Equestrian Centre due to its designation as Metropolitan Open Space.

Following presentations from the public and responses from Cabinet members, the Sub-Committee voted on the options available. Councillor Charlie Davis proposed referring the decision back to Cabinet for reconsideration, while Councillor John Fahy suggested allowing the decision to stand. Councillor Lauren Dingsdale, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, ultimately voted to accept the Cabinet's decision, allowing for immediate implementation. However, she urged the Cabinet members to take into account the concerns raised during the meeting when engaging with interested groups and during subsequent consultations.

The final decision of the Sub-Committee was to take no further action on the call-in, thereby allowing the Cabinet's decision to dispose of the Equestrian Centre and 28 Mereworth Drive to proceed.