Issue - meetings

The report of the Executive Manager – Transformation is attached.

It was RESOLVED that the Acquisitions and Disposals Policy 2020-2025 be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation presented the report of the Executive Manger – Transformation providing an update on the Acquisitions and Disposals Policy 2020-2025. 

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation confirmed that the Council already had an Asset Management Strategy, which had recently been updated.  As part of the process for managing acquisitions and disposals, the Acquisitions and Disposals Policy set out the parameters that were required to undertake any transactions.  The Council’s assets were diverse and multi-faceted and the Policy outlined the guidelines that should be followed to fulfil the Council’s corporate objectives.  It was noted that the Policy had been updated to include reference to properties bought to house the homeless, together with the future provision of affordable housing.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Brennan referred to the Council’s diverse asset base and stated that it was important that the Council had a clear Policy setting out the key principles to consider when purchasing or selling an asset, to ensure that the Council’s corporate objectives were met.  The importance of open and transparent decision-making was reiterated, to ensure that the Policy was appropriately managed, continuously reviewed and supported the delivery of the Council’s services. 

The Leader reiterated the importance of maintaining a balanced and diverse portfolio of assets, particularly as the Council moved forward through the pandemic, during challenging financial times, where an appropriate balance of assets could provide both revenue and local residents with important facilities.  It was pleasing to note that over the years the Council had managed to accumulate this balance of assets and that needed to be maintained.     

It was RESOLVED that the Acquisitions and Disposals Policy 2020-2025 be approved.