Issue - meetings

RESOLVED that 1) the revised Disposals & Acquisitions Policy be adopted,

2)that a new Acquisitions Strategy be developed to sit alongside the Policy document to enable the Council to make swift decisions regarding the purchase of land or property.

Executive considered a detailed report presented by the Portfolio Holder for Growth in relation to the Council’s updated Disposals and Acquisitions policy.

The Disposals and Acquisitions Policy set out the processes that should be followed by the Council when it intended to either sell or purchase property whether that be land or buildings. The policy also covered the grant of a lease for a period of more than 7 years.

The Council’s Asset Management Group had undertaken a review of the policy and amendments had been made to reflect legislative changes, and organisational changes to make the process more efficient. These changes were shown as tracked changes on the policy document at Appendix 1 to the report. The Local Growth Scrutiny Committee had considered the proposed changes at its meeting held on 25^th June 2024.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth advised the meeting that at times the Council was offered land before it came to market and a decision was required to be made more quickly than the policy allowed. He suggested that a new Acquisitions Strategy be developed to sit alongside the policy document to enable the Council to make swift decisions regarding the purchase of land or property.

The Assistant Director Housing Management and Enforcement agreed that the policy document was ‘disposal’ heavy and this was because the Council had a legal obligation to get best value for its disposal of land. Although there was a section in the policy that allowed the Chief Executive to approve an urgent acquisition when required, the Assistant Director Housing Management would, along with the Asset Management Group and Dragonfly Development, work together to develop a strategy to sit alongside the policy document and this would then be presented to Members.

Moved by Councillor John Ritchie and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED that: 1) the revised Disposals & Acquisitions Policy be adopted,

2)    that a new Acquisitions Strategy be developed to sit alongside the Policy document to enable the Council to make swift decisions regarding the purchase of land or property.

Reasons for Recommendation

In order to make sure the Council’s Disposals & Acquisitions Policy was up to date and relevant to current practices and legislation.

Alternative Options and Reasons for Rejection

To not adopt the proposed updated policy. This was not recommended as it would leave the Council with an out-of-date policy.