Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth.

The exempt appendix is set out at item 17 of the agenda pack.

(a)           That the proposed pipeline for asset disposals as a key mechanism to deliver the Strategic Asset Management Plan, generate capital receipts and support the delivery of the Council Plan, be approved.

(b)           That authority be delegated to approve disposals of individual assets identified on the disposals pipeline (as set out in Appendix A of the Cabinet report 11 November 2025) each with an estimated value exceeding £500,000 and method of disposal to the Executive Director for Place in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Property, Assets & Economic Growth and for Finance & Capital Strategy and the Section 151 Officer.

Reason for the decision

To reduce the Council’s property portfolio to a sustainable level, generate capital receipts, and lower maintenance costs, while enabling reinvestment in core assets. Disposals and asset transfers would empower communities, support regeneration and housing delivery, and ensure more efficient use of resources in line with Dorset Council’s priorities.

The Cabinet Member for Property, Assets and Economic Growth presented a report on the disposal and transfer of surplus non-operational assets to support the Strategic Asset Management Plan.  The programme aimed to generate £45.7m in capital receipts over a five-year period, reduce maintenance liabilities and enable reinvestment in priority assets.

The proposed disposals were detailed in the exempt appendix. The Leader of the Council encouraged members to contact the Head of Asset & Property with any queries regarding the items listed in that appendix.

In response to a question regarding tenancy properties, members were advised that where properties were tenanted, conversations would be held with the tenant to give them the opportunity to purchase.  In those cases, they would be considered a special purchaser and would not be required to go through the competitive process. However, in accordance with the best value duty, they would be expected to pay the market value of the property.

It was proposed by Cllr R Biggs and seconded by Cllr G Taylor

Decision

(a)           That the proposed pipeline for asset disposals as a key mechanism to deliver the Strategic Asset Management Plan, generate capital receipts and support the delivery of the Council Plan, be approved.

(b)           That authority be delegated to approve disposals of individual assets identified on the disposals pipeline (as set out in Appendix A of the Cabinet report 11 November 2025) each with an estimated value exceeding £500,000 and method of disposal to the Executive Director for Place in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Property, Assets & Economic Growth and for Finance & Capital Strategy and the Section 151 Officer.

Reason for the decision

To reduce the Council’s property portfolio to a sustainable level, generate capital receipts, and lower maintenance costs, while enabling reinvestment in core assets. Disposals and asset transfers would empower communities, support regeneration and housing delivery, and ensure more efficient use of resources in line with Dorset Council’s priorities.