The above decision of the Elected Mayor was called in by Councillors Lewis (C), Thomas (D), Robson, Tolchard, Lewis (B), Thomas (J), O'Dwyer, Hill, Stubley, Tyerman, Darling (S), Carter, Pentney, Long and Morey.

The reasons for the call-in are attached together with the Record of Decision.

The Board considered the details of a call-in by fifteen Members of the Council of the decision of the Elected Mayor to commence market testing commences, through accredited agents, to see whether there is interest in securing the freehold or long leasehold disposal of Oldway Mansion and Estate.

The Call-in Promoter (Councillor Lewis (C)) explained that the signatories believed that the Elected Mayor’s decision was contrary to the Council’s Policy Framework.  He explained that the Corporate Plan identified one of the Council’s principles as “Using reducing resources to best effect” and that, given that there was no political will to dispose of Oldway Mansion, undertaking market testing would not be an effective use of officer time.

Members of the Board indicated that they were minded to agree that the decision was contrary to the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework and, at that point, the Monitoring Officer provided advice to the Board.

Resolved:  that, having listened to the advice of the Monitoring Officer, the Board is of the view that the Mayor’s decision is contrary to the Policy Framework as it does not believe that it makes best effect of the Council’s reducing resources and therefore the matter is referred to the Council.