Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Acting Director of City Development regarding proposals in respect of the disposal of the former Royal Park Primary School, in addition to considering the request of the North West (Inner) Area Committee that the costs awarded by the court to evict trespassers are waived by the Council.

Appendix 1 to this report is designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3).

Further to Minute No. 196, 10^th March 2010, the Acting Director of City Development submitted a report regarding the disposal of the former Royal Park Primary School. The report also sought consideration of the request from the North West (Inner) Area Committee to waive the court costs granted against the individuals who had illegally occupied the site.

Following consideration of appendix 1 to the submitted report, designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3), which was considered in private during the meeting, it was

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the single offer from Royal Park Community Consortium (RPCC) be accepted, subject to Members being satisfied that the disposal of the property is likely to promote or improve the economic, social and/or environmental well being of the area or of local residents.

(b)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to accept the financial offer from Royal Park Community Consortium and to enter into detailed negotiations to agree heads of terms for a lease on a less than best basis and then to enter into an agreement to lease, conditional upon the following:

(i)  capital investment funding of £750,000 being secured within nine months from the date of this decision, with a report being submitted to Executive Board after six months, in order to provide details on the progress made in obtaining the necessary funding.

(ii)  thestart date of the lease being immediately after award of funding of at least £750,000 and the offer sum of £250,000 being paid to the Council.

(iii)  if the Royal Park Community Consortium cannot raise at least £750,000 within the period set out in paragraph (i) above, then the agreement for lease will automatically cease and the Director of City Development be asked to bring forwards options for consideration at that time should it be necessary.

(iv)  should Members agree to dispose of the building to RPCC on the terms set out above, it is also subject to there being no agreement with RPCC until the fees have been paid as required by the court order.

(v)  a report being submitted to Executive Board in six months when RPCC’s key fundraising position will be clearer.

(c)  That the request from the North West (Inner) Area Committee for Executive Board to waive the legal fees awarded against the individuals who trespassed on the site, be noted but declined.