Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members of the Council will declare any interests they may have in any item to be considered at this meeting, prior to any discussion taking place on that item.

The other registrable interests of Councillors of Devon County Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: A list of county councillors who are also district, borough, city, parish or town councillors.

The Chair reminded Members they should declare any interests they may have in any item to be considered, prior to any discussion taking place on that item. A list of county councillors who are also district, borough, city, parish or town councillors.

As this is the inaugural meeting of this Committee, there are no previous minutes to review.

As this was the inaugural meeting of this Committee, there were no Minutes to review.

Items which in the opinion of the Chairman should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

Introduction and Overview of the Council’s Estate – presentation.

The Assistant Director of Transformation and Business Services gave a Presentation to the Committee, which provided an overview of Devon County Council Estates, including capital receipts, community investments, and future property needs, illustrating that the Estates team had generated £80 million in capital receipts over the last 10 years and its forecast for the same in the next decade.

The Assistant Director discussed the property strategy focusing on reducing, retaining, and repurposing assets. The strategy included internal governance and collaboration with children's and adult services to optimise asset use.

The presentation also highlighted the reduction of office floor space due to hybrid working and co-location with district partners, together with the carbon footprint reduction.

A detailed report was requested for the next meeting on the strategy for SEND repurposing and adult services, including space identification and timelines.

There may be times when the Land and Property Committee or supporting Officers would like to visit sites ahead of an Officer recommendation (or potential recommendation) coming to the Committee for a site to be acquired or disposed of. The attached Protocol sets out clear terms of reference for how these visits should be conducted, attendance, dealing with lobbying, avoidance of predetermination and maintaining impartiality. Members are asked to consider if the Protocol provides a suitable framework to operate within.

Recommendation: that the Committee be asked to endorse the Protocol, noting that the Procedures Committee will be required to review and recommend its adoption to the Council.

RESOLVED that the amended Protocol be endorsed, noting that the Procedures Committee will be required to review and recommend its adoption to the Council.

The Committee considered the Protocol for Site Visits, which set out the practices and procedures that should be followed by Members and Officers of the Land and Property Committee, including clear terms of reference for how the site visits should be conducted; attendance; dealing with lobbying; avoidance of predetermination and maintaining impartiality.

The Assistant Director of Democratic Services clarified the voting rights of Local Members on the Committee and it was agreed to amend the wording of the Protocol by adding the words, ‘unless predetermined or a disclosable pecuniary interest’, under the relevant section.

The Director also clarified that the Farms Estate Committee retained authority over Farm Estate issues, with the Land and Property Committee cross-referencing with that Committee as and when necessary.

It was MOVED by Councillor Slade, SECONDED by Councillor Dewhirst and

RESOLVED that the amended Protocol be endorsed, noting that the Procedures Committee will be required to review and recommend its adoption to the Council.

Report of the Director of Transformation and Business Services (TBS/24/10), attached.

RESOLVED that the following sites be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements and disposals progressed:

(a)   Gas lane, Torrington

(b)  Long Stone Cross, Ashburton

(c)  Fremington Quay Store, Barnstaple.

(Councillor Dewhirst declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being a Trustee of the Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education.)

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Transformation and Business Services (TBS/24/10) on the Property Change Programme.

The report stated that the Property Strategy focussed on four key principles: Reduce, Dispose, Retain, and Repurpose, and aimed at transforming the Council’s corporate estate and would form the methodology for reviewing the future use of its assets. The Property Strategy was set out in the Phase 1 Property Report that was presented to Cabinet in October 2023.

The report sought approval for the disposal of three sites and provided further details on their current status, and included updates on previously agreed disposals and ongoing projects.

In response to questions from Members, Officers reported as follows:

-       Matford Lane development – that discussions were ongoing with Exeter City Council regarding its inclusion in the Local Plan.

-       Ivy Bank planning – the submission of planning applications was expected by December or early next year.

-       Rosalind House Gardens -  this site was being repurposed as a children’s home, with work expected to be completed this calendar year, providing a home for five children.

It was MOVED by Councillor Scott, SECONDED by Councillor Slade and

RESOLVED that the following sites be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements and disposals progressed:

(a)   Gas lane, Torrington

(b)  Long Stone Cross, Ashburton

(c)  Fremington Quay Store, Barnstaple.