Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval for the demolition of the former school buildings at the above site and to fund the work from the resultant capital receipt.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the demolition of the buildings at the former Lowfields site, and the funding of this work from the capital receipt resulting from the sale of the site, be approved.

                        (ii)        That approval be given to use the property services revenue budget, as required, to:

a)fund the finance costs incurred as a result of the timing differences between the demolition costs being incurred and the capital receipt being realised

                                    or

                                    b)         fund the demolition costs from the surplus property fund budget if the site is not sold.

REASON:      To eliminate a target for vandalism, arson and anti-social behaviour, resulting in savings on security and maintenance costs, a reduction in nuisance to local neighbours and a reduction in the drain on police and fire service resources.

Members considered a report which sought approval to demolish the former school buildings on the Lowfields School site at Dijon Avenue, Acomb, and to fund this work from the capital receipt from the sale of the site.

The buildings had been vacated on 31 December 2008, following completion of the new York High School at Cornlands Road.  Due to the current economic downturn, sale of the site had been delayed and the buildings had become a target for vandalism, including arson.  Demolition of the buildings, which were not suitable for re-use, was proposed in order to address these problems and to speed up the sale process by providing a cleared site.

If the proposal was approved, work would begin on site in January 2010 and was expected to take 12 weeks. 

RESOLVED: (i)         That the demolition of the buildings at the former Lowfields site, and the funding of this work from the capital receipt resulting from the sale of the site, be approved. ¹

                        (ii)        That approval be given to use the property services revenue budget, as required, to:

a)fund the finance costs incurred as a result of the timing differences between the demolition costs being incurred and the capital receipt being realised

                                    or

                                    b)         fund the demolition costs from the surplus property fund budget if the site is not sold. ²

REASON:      To eliminate a target for vandalism, arson and anti-social behaviour, resulting in savings on security and maintenance costs, a reduction in nuisance to local neighbours and a reduction in the drain on police and fire service resources.