Members were reminded that the Localism Act 2011 required local authorities to keep a list of assets (meaning buildings or other land) which were of community value. Once an asset was placed on the list it would usually remain there for five years. The effect of listing was that generally speaking an owner intending to dispose of the asset must give notice to the local authority. A community interest group then had six weeks in which to ask to be treated as a potential bidder. If it did so, the disposal could not take place for six months. The theory was that this period known as the “moratorium” would allow the community group to come up with an alternative proposal- although, at the end of the moratorium, it was entirely up to the owner whether a disposal  went  through, to whom and for how much. There were arrangements for the local authority to pay compensation to an owner who lost money in consequence of the asset being listed. 

A nomination had been received from Brentwood Access Group in relation to the existing blue badge holders’ car parking area within William Hunter Way Car Park.

The report before Members provided information to enable them to consider whether or not  to list the blue badge holders’ car parking area within William Hunter Way Car Park as an Asset of Community Value.

Following a discussion Cllr Chilvers MOVED and Cllr Parker SECONDED recommendation 2.1 from the report and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to list the existing blue badge holder’s car park located in William Hunter Way as indicated on Appendix B of the report as an Asset of Community Value.

In addition, Cllr Barrett MOVED and Cllr Parker SECONDED and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

This Committee recommends to the Asset and Enterprise Committee that the Council offer equitable or improved disabled car parking provision in the William Hunter Way Development including consultation with Brentwood Access Group and other relevant groups as proposals progress.