Issue - meetings

To consider a report, together with confidential appendices, by Councillor David Smith, Lead Member for Public Realm (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet’s support to serve a compulsory purchase order and make an offer to purchase the site.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       supports the service of a Compulsory Purchase Order for the site and recommend that Planning Committee so authorise;

(b)       supports Officers to make an offer to purchase the site based on the response from the Independent Valuer and other material factors, and

 (c)       that prior to formally purchasing the site be it via Compulsory Purchase Order or via negotiations a further Cabinet authorisation be sought.

Councillor David Smith, Lead Member for Public Realm presented the report updating members on progress with the former North Wales Hospital project and seeking Cabinet’s support to serve a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the site and make an offer to purchase it.

The report included some background information leading up to the current situation and outlined the general risks associated with the CPO process.  Given the complexities of the site it was recommended that if Council was successful with the CPO or the offer to purchase the site was accepted, that further Cabinet authorisation be sought prior to formally taking ownership of the site.

The Leader highlighted media references to the location of the new prison in North Wales. He clarified that both this site and St. Asaph Green Gate site were unsuitable due to the size and planning constraints.

Members raised questions regarding the financial implications and future intentions for the building and were provided with the following responses –

·         the project would result in no cost to the local authority or council tax payer

·         the outcome of the three remaining planning appeals was awaited before steps were taken to try and recover payment in relation to the two invalid appeals

·         an independent valuation of the site would be carried out in order to ascertain the value of compensation payable

·         the service of the CPO would be a decision for the Planning Committee and would likely take approximately fifteen months to complete

·         future intentions for the site would need to be considered in closed session but any project would seek to benefit Denbigh town and the county as a whole.

Confidential appendices relating to the CPO had accompanied the report and in order to discuss that matter and future intentions for the site it was – RESOLVED that the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that exempt information would likely be disclosed as defined in Paragraph 14 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Cabinet discussed issues surrounding the CPO including associated risks, financial considerations and future plans.  Members were keen to safeguard the building and ensure that the site was developed to benefit the area.  Whilst recognising the need for confidentiality members were also keen for the matter to be dealt with as openly as possible without prejudicing the Council’s position.  At the end of the discussion the meeting resumed in open session.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       supports the service of a Compulsory Purchase Order for the site and recommend that Planning Committee so authorise;

(b)       supports Officers to make an offer to purchase the site based on the response from the Independent Valuer and other material factors, and

 (c)       that prior to formally purchasing the site be it via Compulsory Purchase Order or via negotiations a further Cabinet authorisation be sought.