At next week’s Cabinet meeting, Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Jon Gilbey will be presenting a paper on the possible sale of the former Sandham Bandstand, Culver Parade, Sandown.
The paper (embedded below for your convenience) explains that the call-in facility has been disapplied for this item.
Transparent decision
According to the paperwork, prior to the elections the disposal of this asset would have been made as a delegated decision rather than going to Cabinet.
After the Island Independents took control of the council, their desire to be more open and transparent has led to any decisions in relation to the use and disposal of property now being taken by the Cabinet, rather than behind closed doors.
Prospective purchaser being charged interest on funds
The reason for the urgency of a decision is detailed in the paper,
The prospective purchaser has drawn down funds in order to acquire the site on the basis of the council’s previous approach to the disposal of assets of this value. It is incurring interest charges on the capital it has borrowed to fund its acquisition of the site and its costs are therefore increasing for as long as the council does not complete on the sale.
An urgent decision including the disapplication of call in is required to prevent the prospective purchaser incurring these costs and seeking recompense from the council as a result.
Call-in disapplied
Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Geoff Lumley has has been consulted on this report and the reason for the urgent decision which he considers are legitimate and has agreed that call-in can be disapplied.
The paper reveals that he has commented that,
“He is disappointed that this decision needs to be made urgently, but understands the reason why”.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the Cabinet meeting (and ask questions at the beginning of the meeting) which takes place at County Hall from 6.30pm on Tuesday 13th August.
