Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th May 2017

(Note: If any Member wishes to propose an amendment to the minutes they should submit this in writing to committeeservices@horsham.gov.uk at least 24 hours before the meeting.  Where applicable, the audio recording of the meeting will be checked to ensure the accuracy of the proposed amendment.)

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 25^th May 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members of the Cabinet

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Leader, Cabinet Members or the Chief Executive

There were no announcements.

To receive questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters which in the opinion of the person presiding at the meeting are relevant to the business of the meeting

No questions had been received.

To note the Forward Plan

The Forward Plan was noted.

There were no matters of urgency to be considered.

            RESOLVED

            That, under Regulation 21(1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 by virtue of paragraph 3 and, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

To receive the report of the Leader

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Regulations 9 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to information) (England) Regulations 2012 that it was impracticable to give 28 days’ notice of the intention to take a Key Decision by the Cabinet on 29th June 2017.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been informed of this matter in accordance with Regulation 10.

RESOLVED

That the proposed purchase of the identified investment property be approved and that the Director of Planning, Economic Development and Property be authorised to complete the purchase, subject to satisfactory due diligence.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That a supplementary capital budget of £15,000,000 be approved to enable the purchase to proceed.

REASON

To enable the Council to expand its commercial investment portfolio in order to continue to build a revenue stream to support the Council’s general activities and to approve the supplementary budget required for this purpose.

The Leader reported on the proposed acquisition of a commercial property in Horsham town centre for investment purposes.

In September 2015, the Council had allocated capital for the purpose of acquiring commercial investment properties as they arose from time to time in the District provided they would achieve a 6% yield.  The purchase currently proposed was of a much higher value than other recent acquisitions and details of the rationale for acquiring the property were reported.

The Treasury Management Strategy approved in February 2017 had anticipated additional property investment of £3,000,000 per annum over the full five-year term of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.  However, the proposed purchase would exceed this and Council would need to be requested to approve a supplementary capital budget to enable the acquisition to proceed.

The sale of other Council assets that produced a low or no income would contribute towards offsetting any borrowing from internal or external resources.

The Cabinet Advisory Sub-Committee (Property Investment) had considered and supported the proposed property investment purchase.  In addition, a briefing had been held on 21^st June 2017 to which all Members had been invited.

            RESOLVED

            That the proposed purchase of the identified investment property be approved and that the Director of Planning, Economic Development and Property be authorised to complete the purchase, subject to satisfactory due diligence.

            RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

            That a supplementary capital budget of £15,000,000 be approved to enable the purchase to proceed.

            REASON

            To enable the Council to expand its commercial investment portfolio in order to continue to build a revenue stream to support the Council’s general activities and to approve the supplementary budget required for this purpose.