Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED:  Cabinet resolves to recommend to Full Council the adoption of the Property Disposal Policy attached as Appendix 1 with the following amendments in the Governance Arrangements and Oversight section:

During potential asset disposals portfolio holders, ward members, parish councils and other community representatives where necessary may have confidential / commercial information shared with them. It is important that the constitution is adhered to in this regard in particular “Part 2 – Articles – Rights and Duties of Councillors, paragraphs 2.05 to 2.07”.

REASON FOR DECISION: There is currently no formal policy in place.

Click here to view the recording of this item on YouTube.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Ring presented the strengthened property disposal policy. He added the revised policy included clearer guidance on the handling of confidential and commercial information during asset disposals, explicitly referencing relevant sections of the constitution to ensure proper conduct by portfolio holders, ward members, and community representatives.

The Chair, Councillor Beales highlighted the recommendation made from the Corporate Performance Panel following the call – in process; “During potential asset disposals portfolio holders, ward members, parish councils and other community representatives may have confidential / commercial information shared with them, it is important that the status of such documentation is respected and not shared wider.”

The Chair, Councillor Beales welcomed the recommendations from CPP and drew attention to point 1.4 of the report which amended the recommendation further to include the relevant part of the constitution; “During potential asset disposals portfolio holders, ward members, parish councils and other community representatives where necessary may have confidential / commercial information shared with them. It is important that the constitution is adhered to in this regard in particular “Part 2 – Articles – Rights and Duties of Councillors, paragraphs 2.05 to 2.07”.

In response to a question from Councillor Moriarty, it was confirmed that previous additional wording was removed, and the new addition provides direct signposting to constitutional requirements, simplifying the policy and ensuring clarity.

The Cabinet agreed to adopt the strengthened policy, recognising its importance for managing asset disposals and responding to ongoing inquiries, with the recommendation to be forwarded to full Council for final approval.

RECOMMENDED:  Cabinet resolves to recommend to Full Council the adoption of the Property Disposal Policy attached as Appendix 1 with the following amendments in the Governance Arrangements and Oversight section:

During potential asset disposals portfolio holders, ward members, parish councils and other community representatives where necessary may have confidential / commercial information shared with them. It is important that the constitution is adhered to in this regard in particular “Part 2 – Articles – Rights and Duties of Councillors, paragraphs 2.05 to 2.07”.

REASON FOR DECISION: There is currently no formal policy in place.