Decision
Analysis
outcome: The recommendations for the write offs were approved unanimously.
summary: The decision at stake is the approval of write offs for rent arrears in excess of £5,000 for two businesses.
topline: The Executive has decided to approve the write offs for rent arrears for two businesses.
reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves writing off significant amounts of money owed to the council.
affected_stakeholders: ["Council", "Business A", "Business B"]
contentiousness_score: 6
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://meetings.westoxon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=432
Decision Maker: Executive
Outcome: Recommendations Approved
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose:
Content: Councillor Andy Graham advised that if discussion on item 15 included details in the exempt annex at item 18 the meeting would need to resolve to exclude the press and public. The exempt annex was not discussed. Councillor Alaric Smith introduced the item the purpose of which was to seek approval for the write off of rent arrears in excess of £5,000. Councillor Smith advised that there were two rent arrear debts included in the report referred to as “Business A” and “Business B”: Business A was the occupational tenant of a Council owned freehold property. In September 2020 Business A entered a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). The CVA included introducing a landlord break and writing off of any rent arrears at the time of the CVA. The council subsequently enacted the lease break and as such the debt was no longer recoverable. Business B occupied a unit on which the Council owned the headlease from June 2020. Business B stopped paying rent in late 2021. Despite correspondence and visits to the site the balance remained outstanding. The legal team were unable to act as Business B abandoned the unit and ceased trading. This effectively meant that there was no business to pursue for the debt. Councillor Smith noted that the total cost of the write offs was £70,265.58, and this would be charged against the bad debt provision within the budget set up specifically for this purpose. Councillor Alaric Smith proposed accepting the recommendations of the report. Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Care, seconded the recommendations. This was voted on and approved unanimously. RESOLVED: That the Executive: 1. Approved the two write offs in the sums of £59,004.58 and £11,261 as detailed within the report
Date of Decision: June 11, 2025