That the Elected Mayor disagrees that the decision in relation to market testing for the disposal of Oldway Mansion is contrary to the Council’s Policy Framework in that it does not make best effect of the Council’s reducing resources.  He disagrees that it is not using every hour of work well.  He wishes his original Mayoral decision to stand as set out below:

(iii)       that market testing commences now, through accredited agents, to see whether there is interest in securing the freehold or long leasehold disposal of Oldway Mansion and Estate.  The marketing should engage with all interested parties, including charities, trusts, private individuals and commercial organisations, and for local community groups, such as the Friends of Oldway, the Community Asset Transfer Policy would be applicable.

(i)         that a Project Manager be appointed, on a 12 month contract, to prepare a works specification, procurement strategy and cost estimate for the limited improvement works identified in Phase 1 of the DCA report. That a stage report be submitted to full Council in approximately nine months’ time when the Council sets its 2019/20 Revenue Budget, Capital Plan and Medium Term Resources Plan;

(ii)        that the Council consults further with conservation accredited professionals to identify a strategy for the immediate management of the dry rot outbreak, so as to minimise further damage during the 2018 dry rot active season with any decision on these works being taken in accordance with the Council’s Constitution;

(iii)       that market testing commences now, through accredited agents, to see whether there is interest in securing the freehold or long leasehold disposal of Oldway Mansion and Estate.  The marketing should engage with all interested parties, including charities, trusts, private individuals and commercial organisations, and for local community groups, such as the Friends of Oldway, the Community Asset Transfer Policy would be applicable;

(iv)       that the Project Manager investigates options to establish a café concession at Oldway and possibly other amenities but without committing further to the existing ongoing operating costs; and

(v)        that the appointment of a Project Manager, stage report, dry rot investigation and the soft market testing identified above be funded to a maximum of £125,000 from the existing Oldway Mansion Reserve.