Apologies have been received by Cllr Mrs Coe and Cllr Mrs McKinlay is substituting.

The Chair asked that items 8 and 9 be brought forward in the agenda and will follow item 3.

RESOLVED:  That the order of the agenda be varied accordingly.

The minutes of the meeting were approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record subject to the amendments from Cllr Sleep.

76. Bell Mead, Ingatestone – Update on disposal of a surplus asset

2.1       That conditional contracts for the sale of the property are exchange   with the party that submits the highest complaint compliant and deliverable bid to provided 14 homes of mixed format with additional 10             parking spaces

78. Hallsford Bridge – Land transfer to Housing Revenue Account

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Quirk and SECONDED by Cllr Sleep Sapwell to receive the recommendations as set out in the report subject to a suggested alteration by the mover after a full discussion.

Verbal update from Chair.

Members were updated on investigation work being undertaken on issues identified by the Committee.  The Chair of Audit & Scrutiny advised that a report on Hutton Community Centre would be presented to Audit and Scrutiny Committee in October, and that meeting regarding William Hunter Way were in progress.

The Chair has asked the committee for feedback on the possibility of the developing Westbury Road Car Park for 6 Independent shops (3 to be retained by the Council) and Residential use.

The Chair will meet with Ward Members to discuss ideas for the site.

The report considers the history, current condition and future of the Herongate Village Hall.

The Chair invited Cllr Kingsford, Chair of Ingrave and Herongate Parish Council to speak on this item.  He informed the Committee of the poor condition of the hall and that no bookings for hire have been placed since 2006.

The feedback from the residents is that that hall is a blot on the landscape and would like it demolished.

After a full discussion a motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs McKinlay and SECONDED by Cllr Hirst to amend the recommendation.

2.1       To defer this item until the next meeting of Asset and Enterprise, so that Ward Members and the Chair of Asset and Enterprise Committee           can liaise to discuss the views and ideas relating to the Hall from the             residents within the village.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and in accordance with Rules 9.2 of the Council Procedure Rules, the Chair exercised his casting vote and the Motion was LOST.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Quirk and SECONDED by Cllr Sapwell  to receive the recommendation in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and was RESOLVED UNANMIOUSLY to:

2.1       To seek the Charity Commission’s further advice and timely       intervention as there are no Managing Trustee now willing to act    the Council has no power to take a decision on behalf of the             Charity to dispose of the property and to deal with the proceeds           of any disposal.

Following the report of the East of England Local Government Association (EELGA) and an agreement in principle from Members to further scope and develop this work, officers have been exploring, scoping and testing potential areas of Council activity that could (in the short to intermediate term) be delivered in a commercial space with the aim of income generation.

This report performs three key functions:

i)    It outlines progress in all of the main activity areas;

ii)    It summarises the new powers available to councils to trade and generate profit in the market; and

iii)    It sets out proposals to create a Local Authority Trading Company for Brentwood.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Quirk and SECONDED by Cllr Sapwell to receive the recommendation as set out in the report.

Voting took place by a show of hands and in accordance with 9.2 of the Council Procedure Rules, the Chair exercised his casting vote and the MOTION was CARRIED.

2.1         Members are asked to note operational progress in modelling and        incubating services towards maturity for commercialisation

2.3         Members are asked to agree in principle to create a Local            Authority Trading Company (LATCO) and to refer a             recommendation to Full Council for approval.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr McKinlay and SECONDED by Cllr Hirst to make an amendment to 2.2 of the recommendations.         

2.2         Members are asked to agreed explore the proposed common                                    approach to Alternative Service Delivery models set out at Appendix A.

Voting took place by a show of hands and in accordance with 9.2 of the Council Procedure Rules, the Chair exercised his casting vote and the MOTION was LOST.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Quirk  and SECONDED by Cllr Sapwell to receive the recommendation 2.2 as set out in the report.

Voting took place by a show of hands and in accordance with 9.2 of the Council Procedure Rules, the Chair exercised his casting vote and the MOTION was CARRIED.

2.2         Members are asked to agree the proposed common approach to                      Alternative Service Delivery models set out at Appendix A.

The Asset & Enterprise Committee on 15 July 2014 resolved “That conditional contracts for the sale of the property are exchanged with the highest and most compliant bidder (Bid B), with the Council then negotiating to retain 5 units for revenue purpose.”

The Council’s solicitors have been instructed regarding the sale and negotiations have been undertaken to retain 5 units at a discount to current values.

The proposed acquisition of the 5 units will be reported to Council on 22 October 2014 and approval sought to proceed.

No member MOVED a motion on this item.

Termination of Meeting

During the preceding item, in accordance with Rule 28 of Part 4.1 – Council Procedure Rules, the business of the meeting not having concluded by two hours after its start, Members voted to agreed to continue with the meeting for a further 30 minutes.

The meeting was adjourned for 5 mins for a comfort break.

The report provides an update on this subject which was presented to the Committee on the 15 July 2014 as “Urgent Business”.

The Committee on 15 July 2014 resolved that:

1.            An investigation to be undertaken by the Audit & Scrutiny Committee         on how, why and whether the funds were allocated in the correct            fashion for the refurbishment of the building

2.            Report to a future Finance & Resource Committee with regards to the        funding of any necessary further repairs

3.            To undertaken a Health & Safety Inspection on Hutton Community             Centre immediately and report back to either Audit & Scrutiny or Asset   & Enterprise Committee

The report deals with Item 3 and sets out the findings of the inspection and also an independent survey of the roof of the facility.  The remaining items above are considered by other Committees.

After a full discussion.  An amendment to the recommendation was MOVED by Cllr McKinlay and SECONDED by Cllr Hirst.

2.1       Members are asked to note the finding of the inspection and also the         independent survey of the roof to the facility both of which confirm the Hall is safe for use.

Voting took place by a show of hands and in accordance with 9.2 of the Council Procedure Rules, the Chair exercised his casting vote and the MOTION was LOST.

A motion was MOVED by  Cllr Quirk and SECONDED by Cllr Sapwell to approve the recommendation set out in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and was RESOLVED UNANMIOUSLY to:-

2.1       Members are asked to note the findings of the inspection and also       the independent survey of the roof to the facility.

Termination of Meeting

During the preceding item, in accordance with Rule 28 of Part 4.1 – Council Procedure Rules, the business of the meeting not having concluded by two hours after its start, Members voted to agreed to continue with the meeting for a further 30 minutes.

The report provides an update in general terms on the progress that has been achieved in concluding outstanding lease expiries and rent reviews.

The Chair personal congratulated Mr Parling and Officers on identifying an extra £62k income.

No member MOVED a motion on this item.

The Asset Management Strategy 2014/15 was approved by the Asset & Enterprise Committee on the 15 July 2014 - that report set out the aims and objectives for the forthcoming year for the Councils property asset portfolio. Appendix A (Action Plan Update) to this report sets out the progress achieved on the more significant work flows.

The Strategy highlighted the entrepreneurial approach to the Councils management of its assets and this objective is being adopted as opportunities arise.

No member MOVED a motion on this item.

An item of business may only be considered where the Chair is of the opinion that, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the Minutes, the item should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of Urgent Business.