To approve the Asset Management Plan for the Charity known as the Cobtree Manor Estate for the period 2011/14 (updated in 2012).

1.  That the Asset Management Plan for the Charity known as the Cobtree Manor Estate, attached as Appendix A to the report of the Cobtree Officer, be endorsed.

2.  That data relating to the Cobtree properties extracted from the Council’s 2012 property review be reported to the Committee this autumn and that all future asset management reports be brought to the Committee in the autumn to enable up to date information to be included.

3.  That the Officers be requested to undertake an options appraisal in relation to possible alternative uses for the land to the north of Forstal Road currently let under a two-year grazing tenancy agreement due to expire in June 2013.

The Committee has undertaken to carry out an annual review of the Charity’s Asset Management Plan using appropriate data extracted from the Council’s own Plan.  A full review was conducted in the spring of 2012 by the Council’s Property Section and the exercise will be repeated on a 3 yearly schedule, with an annual update.  It is proposed that data relating to the Cobtree properties extracted from the 2012 review be brought before the Committee this autumn and that all future asset management reports be scheduled for the autumn to enable up to date information to be included.

During the discussion on this item, it was suggested that consideration be given to alternative uses for the 4.819 acres of land to the north of Forstal Road, currently let under a two-year grazing tenancy agreement due to expire in June 2013.

The alternative course of action is to leave the Asset Management Plan within the Council’s overall Plan, but this is not considered appropriate as it does not sufficiently emphasise the distinct separation of consideration which must be given to matters relating to the Cobtree Manor Estate.

In addition asset management reports could continue to be brought to the Committee in the summer.  This is not considered appropriate as the data would always be slightly out of date.