Minutes:
The Council considered the report of the Director of Resources seeking Members’ agreement of the principle of purchasing and disposing of land for the purposes of:
(i) providing a Capital and/or Revenue return for Maldon District Council to utilise for other district needs; and
(ii) providing a residential development which will bring much needed affordable housing to the district.
The report also sought to ensure that critical and time sensitive decisions in 2023 regarding the approval of funding, purchase, and sale of the land (subject to planning approval) could be made in a timely manner and before the expiry of the option agreement.
The Commercial Manager presented the report and outlined the benefits to the Council. The Chairman reminded Members that they were only considering the commercial elements and not any planning issues.
During the debate that followed some Members raised concerns regarding the proposal, and in response Officers provided further clarification and additional information. It was confirmed that the Option Agreement currently ran until April / May 2024.
Following further discussion, Councillor A S Fluker proposed that both recommendations be discounted and that subject to planning permission being granted this matter come back to the Council to review figures. However, should planning permission not be not granted the Council should appeal the decision. This was not supported.
The Leader of the Council summed up the report referring to some of the discussions that had taken place and moved that the recommendations as set out in the report be agreed. This was duly seconded.
Councillor Fluker proposed that recommendations (i) and (ii) not be agreed and after the planning application was considered by the District Planning Committee the matter came back to the Council to consider the next steps.
The Chairman put the recommendations as set out in the report. In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor S J N Morgan requested a recorded vote and the voting was as follows:
For the recommendation:
Councillors Mrs P A Channer, Mrs J L Fleming, J V Keyes, S J N Morgan, C P Morley, C Swain and Mrs M E Thompson.
Against the recommendation:
Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, R G Boyce, R P F Dewick, M R Edwards, A S Fluker, M S Heard, M W Helm, K M H Lagan, C Mayes, S P Nunn, R H Siddall, P L Spenceley and W Stamp.
Abstention:
None.
The Chairman advised that this motion was therefore not agreed.
Councillor Fluker proposed that the matter proceed to planning application stage. This proposal was duly seconded.
Councillor R H Siddall proposed that the project be cancelled. This was not supported.
The Chairman reminded the Council of the proposal from Councillor Fluker and explained that if agreed the matter would come back to the Council after the decision on the related planning permission had taken place. He then put this to a vote.
In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor K M H Lagan requested a recorded vote and the voting was as follows:
For the recommendation:
Councillors Mrs P A Channer, A S Fluker, M W Helm, J V Keyes, S J N Morgan, C P Morley, W Stamp, C Swain and Mrs M E Thompson.
Against the recommendation:
Councillors M G Bassenger, M R Edwards, M S Heard, K M H Lagan, C Mayes, S P Nunn, R H Siddall and P L Spenceley.
Abstention:
Councillors V J Bell, R G Boyce, R P F Dewick and Mrs J L Fleming.
The Chairman advised that the motion was therefore agreed.
RESOLVED that the Council proceeds with the planning application in relation to this Commercial Project and following planning decision further details be brought back to the Council for determination.