Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the meeting room are located at each end of the room to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Chair outlined the emergency evacutation procedure.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following items:

That under Section 100 (A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosures of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3.

3.         Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Resolved:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business of the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule 12A of the Act:

3.    Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). See note below.

Relevant officers introduced the report and outlined the recommendations.

Members were invited to ask questions and provide comments. These included:

·         Requesting detail on the current value of the asset;

·         seeking clarity on the scope of purchasing parameters;

·         information on the long term budgetary implications; and

·         impact in terms of Local Government Reorganisation.

Officers advised:

·         The proposed asset price was considered to be reflective of the current value given economic conditions;

·         purchasing parameters would be set between the Head of Place and Head of Legal with the  Section 151 officer with full consideration of the budgetary position;

·          in time, this acquisition would be cost neutral to the budget; and

·         The asset would transfer to any successor authority as part of Local Government Reorganisation.

Resolved:

1. To delegate authority to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Head of Legal, to negotiate and agree the acquisition of the asset detailed in the exempt report, subject to:

·         satisfactory completion of due diligence and title investigation;

·         an independent Red Book valuation; supporting the agreed purchase price;

·         the terms being within parameters to be agreed with the Section 151 Officer.