URL: https://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5416

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The Cabinet considered a report recommending the disposal of two surplus property assets: the former Adult Education Centre at Tivoli Road, Margate, and the former depot at Pierremont Park, Broadstairs. The report also recommended the Community Asset Transfer of the Broadstairs War Memorial to Broadstairs and St. Peter's Town Council. The disposal of the two surplus assets is proposed to generate a capital receipt of at least £1.25 million, which is essential for funding the approved Capital Programme as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan.

Content: The Cabinet considered a report recommending the disposal of two surplus property assets: the former Adult Education Centre at Tivoli Road, Margate, and the former depot at Pierremont Park, Broadstairs. The report also recommended the Community Asset Transfer of the Broadstairs War Memorial to Broadstairs and St. Peter's Town Council. The disposal of the two surplus assets is proposed to generate a capital receipt of at least £1.25 million, which is essential for funding the approved Capital Programme as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan. Cabinet agreed the following:   1.  To approve the open market disposal of The Tivoli Road asset;   2.  Not to approve the disposal of Pierremont Park Depot by public auction and to exclude the access road from any disposal;   3.  To support a recommendation to transfer the Broadstairs War Memorial, adjacent to Pierremont Park, to Broadstairs and St. Peter’s Town Council at nil value. The two sites at Tivoli Road and Pierremont Park Depot are currently unused and vacant, costing the council money for maintenance and security. Disposing of these surplus assets will mitigate the financial and health and safety risks associated with their retention, and generate crucial capital receipts needed to fund the council's capital program. The Community Asset Transfer of the Broadstairs War Memorial is supported because the Town Council is considered better placed to act as an effective custodian of this locally important memorial.   The amendment to the Pierremont Park Depot disposal was made to ensure the method of disposal is not by public auction, and to specifically exclude the access road from the freehold transfer. The land to be sold is defined as the area from the first set of gates inwards and the brownfield second gated former depot, with rights to access the site over the path. The options to retain the properties, seek alternative planning consents, or transfer them for community use were all rejected because they would be financially imprudent, fail to generate the necessary capital funds for the council, and would not address the significant risks posed by the vacant and dilapidated sites.

Date of Decision: September 25, 2025