Question Time.
Minutes:
Dr.
“1. How
did Leicestershire County Council arrive at its current valuation for Measham
Youth Club’s current land and building?
2. Does
the County Council consider this valuation to be incredibly mean considering
that the lack of finance available to the Club will inhibit its ability to
provide a replacement facility?
3. The
current site of the Youth Club is being bought as part of the Ashby Canal
Project. What is the anticipated increase in land value the Council expects
when it sells the land on to a developer?
Is this part of the motivating factors for the current valuation?
4. How
much profit does the Council expect itself or developers to achieve from the
sale of the site?
5. Has
any analysis been undertaken to assess the long term impact on the local
community from the loss of this Youth Club?
6. Is
the County Council going to stand idly by whilst an important community
facility like Measham Youth Club is destroyed, potentially exacerbating local
anti-social behaviour issues, as well as damaging future community cohesion?”
The Chairman replied as follows:-
“1. The County Council is restricted by statute
as to how it assesses compensation .There is a set of rules laid down in
Section 5 of the Land Compensation Act 1961 which govern the basis of
compensation. The current valuation of the site has been based on what is
considered to be the market value of the site in accordance with Rule 2 of
these Rules and reflects what is felt to be the value for the site assuming
potential for its development for residential purposes. In addition, the County Council will pay any
eligible Disturbance and other statutory payments due to the Youth Club. The
site extends to approximately 1 acre and whilst a residential development value
has been applied, the valuation assumes a deduction to allow for the need to
negotiate access to the site over other land. The Youth Club have
appointed Surveyors to act on their behalf (and whose fees will be met by the
County Council) and officers remain in discussion with them over whether this
or an alternative valuation is appropriate in this case.
2. The
valuation reflects the fact that the County Council is governed by a statutory
scheme in assessing compensation which precludes the consideration of factors
such as the financial status of the owner.
3. It is expected that any land which is
surplus to the requirements of the Canal scheme, will be disposed of under the
terms of the Joint Venture Agreement between the County Council and Ideal
Country Homes (Measham) Ltd. Any income arising from an increase in the value
of the land on disposal will arise solely from the reinstatement of the Canal
and subject to Cabinet approval would simply be set against the cost of
construction (which is estimated to be in the region of £13 million). There is
therefore no profit to the County Council from the overall scheme.
4. The answer to question 3 above
sets out the basis on which the County Council is proposing to enter into the
process of disposing of surplus land, including the Measham Youth Club. It is
not possible at the present time to predict entirely accurately the proceeds of
sale and to do so in a public forum would not be in accordance with the County
Council’s usual practice, as this information is commercially sensitive pending
conclusion of regulations and conveyencing procedures.
5. The County Council’s Youth Service is aware ... view the full minutes text for item 59