Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

23 July 2004

Land adjoining Rachel Madocks Special School, Wecock, Havant -

Sale of development land

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

(Summary of CONFIDENTIAL decision)

1

Summary

1.1

The Executive Member (Policy and Resources) is advised that approval should be given to:

i)

The sale of 1.37 hectares (3.38 acres) of land adjoining Rachel Madocks Special School, Wecock, Havant to Warden Housing Association for £1,018,500 and the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) be authorised to settle detailed terms and conditions of the sale on the basis set out in the report;

ii)

That the County Education Officer be permitted to retain up to 100% of the capital receipt towards the cost of constructing a new school for pupils with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESD) and an Education Centre in Leigh Park as part of the Havant Special Education Strategy.

2

Reason(s)

2.1

The site is surplus to all County Council requirements and the capital receipt forms a major funding resource for the Havant Special Education Strategy which has previously been approved, in principle.

2.2

This decision supports the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy

Aim 1 - Maximising life opportunities by reinvesting the capital receipt in improved education facilities.

Aim 2 - Stewardship of the environment by landowner control to ensure appropriate development design standards and replacement of temporary buildings housing the Education Centre by permanent buildings.

Aim 3 - Achieving economic prosperity by the construction of the housing development and new education facilities.

Aim 4 - Building strong and safe communities by landowner control ensuring development design for safety and securing the boundaries of Rachel Madocks Special School.

Aim 5 - Improving services by reinvesting the capital receipt to improve education services and to provide opportunities for key workers to be housed.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

Sale on the open market. This was rejected on the basis that the Housing Association scheme offers key worker nomination rights to the County Council, together with 'accessible' housing that will benefit people with disabilities.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1

None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

None

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber