Estate update

Report: 15
Date: 27 September 2002
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report updates members on the latest information on estate matters. 

A. Recommendation

Members are invited to note the information update on current estate issues.

B. Supporting information

Norman Kendall Section House

1. Previous reports had recommended disposal of this property. Subsequent considerations have identified wider estate issues and the sale has been placed on hold pending further considerations and an impact assessment of alternative MPA uses.

Maurice Drummond Section House

2. Previous reports had recommended disposal of this property. Subsequent considerations have identified wider estate issues and the sale has been placed on hold. There are also still operational issues to resolve.

Trenchard House

3. A planning adviser has been retained to re-examine the potential of this building and is in discussion with the local authority. A sale is still presently planned in the current financial year.

Rochester Row

4. The previously reported and approved sale is still outstanding due to delay in the detailed drafting of a planning agreement (Section106 Agreement). Given market movements since the last report the possibility of renegotiating detailed disposal terms is being explored.

Bow Street

5. The contracted arrangement to execute a commercial redevelopment of this site combined with a Police Museum operated by Bow Street Partners Ltd. has failed to obtain planning consent within the contract framework. Discussions with the developer are ongoing and will be reported to a future Committee meeting.

Old Street

6. Discussions have taken place with the GLMCA regarding the joint sale of this property. CAP are due to submit proposals before the end of September 2002 for an off market sale. A full report will be submitted, in partnership with the GLMCA, to a future Committee meeting

Arbour Square

7. This property was planned for disposal by auction but has been aborted while possible operational needs are reassessed.

Otis House

8. The lease for this previously approved facility has been completed.

Capital programme procurement

9. As part of a reassessment of best contract form to meet planned capital programme spend consideration is being given to the pilot use of a design and build contract approach. This will be measured against current contract forms to inform future procurement strategy.

Surplus residential units let to housing association

10. A number of units short term let to a Housing Association will shortly revert to the MPA. To ensure a professional hand over phasing arrangements are being agreed outside the original contract but at no cost to the MPA. Proposals for the future of these units will be reported to a future meeting of the Committee.

Glidewell

11. In accordance with previous decisions no further expense is being committed to this project until such time as a full costing is available along with a partnership / exit strategy.

Front office upgrades

12. The programme to provide at least one upgraded front office per Borough has been paused to enable a review of affordability as estimated costs have been found to be escalating beyond budget provision. The review will deliver a subsequent report and recommendations / options. Disability and other affected groups will be kept advised and be consulted.

Hounslow Heath

13. As part of the Private Finance Initiative for Gravesend the MPA retained responsibility and risk for the disposal of this property. Tenders have been sought for appropriate planning advice and disposal plans will be reported in future updates to the Committee.

Consultancy appointments

14. A number of consultancy appointments to assist PSD in its work are shortly due for renewal. This opportunity will enable PSD to update and rationalise appointments. The majority of these appointments are framework related and apply to day to day business. Further details will be included in future updates to the Committee.

C. Equality and diversity implications

Any equality and diversity implications arising from the matters in this report are being assessed as part of the individual project or item and will be reported separately to the Committee at the appropriate time.

D. Financial implications

Any financial implications from the above items will be reported in full to the relevant committees at the appropriate time.

E. Background papers

• None

F. Contact details

Report author: Alan Croney, Director of Property Services.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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