By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Southampton City Council is looking to sell a further 13 sites in the next phase of an “important and transformational” project.

Photo: SCC

 

Council leaders will consider the latest proposals to come forward as part of the asset development and disposal programme (ADDP).

Councillors have already approved an undisclosed list of 32 assets for disposal.

The third phase of the programme includes exploring the sale of another 13 sites, which have not been named publicly but have a combined net book value of more than £5million.

A recommendation has also been made to explore development or regeneration opportunities for two other assets.

A report by programme manager Juliana Clark said the potential disposals and developments will undergo further evaluation to ensure the plans are in the best interests of the council before a final decision is made.

Council-owned assets being considered for disposal come from both the corporate and operational portfolio, and the commercial and investment portfolio.

Cllr Sarah Bogle, cabinet member for economic development, said: “We will be considering maintaining and retaining some locations, developing some for housing and other uses, and disposing of others.

“It’s important that we handle the programme as delicately as possible.

“Listing assets confidentially at this stage does not automatically imply that all those sites will be sold.”

Cllr Bogle said public consultations would take place around specific disposal decisions where there was a “direct public impact”.

Opposition councillors have previously criticised the Labour administration over the confidential nature of proposed asset disposals.

The officer report said publishing details about sites would detrimentally affect their “marketability”.

It added: “It is important to safeguard the confidentiality of the assets in scope, and not to expose them to the market or put in the public domain before a full evaluation and decision-making process is concluded.”

The ADDP is aiming to deliver a “significant reduction” in the local authority’s portfolio of assets to reduce its operating costs.

There is a capital receipt target of securing £85million over the next five years.

The council is working with real estate firm Savills as advisory agents to support with marketing of assets earmarked for disposal, undertaking market appraisals, valuations and establishing disposal strategies to secure the best offer possible.

Ms Clark’s report said the local authority is looking to find a strategic partner to define opportunities for large scale asset development and regeneration across the city in line with the recently published Southampton Renaissance Master Plan.

“This commission will be a critical activity alongside the ADDP, and it will be the framework by which enhanced capital receipts will be realised by the council,” the report said.

The plans for phase three of the ADDP go before cabinet on Tuesday, March 25, and full council the following day.

• It's unknown whether Woodmill Outdoor Activities Centre is on the list of assets that could be sold.. As reported last September, the council gave itself more time to find an operator for Woodmill and Southampton Water Activities Centre, both currently run by Active Nation. While it's understood there was interest in the former from several unnamed organisations, no announcment on its future has been made some six months on.