To approve the purchase and making of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) if and when necessary.

It was noted that the reasons for recommendations had inadvertently been omitted from the report. Whilst not materially affecting the content of the report for completeness it was noted that the reasons were to facilitate a council response should no significant market progress be made.

The cabinet member presented proposals to enable the council to take action to facilitate bringing back 16-18 High Town into economic use. The relaxing of listed building planning constraints was welcomed, and the likelihood that this would make the property more attractive to the private sector was acknowledged.

In response to questions from cabinet members the following points were noted:

·         Enquiries regarding the site were being received and passed on to the administrators;

·         The monitoring officer provided assurance that every effort would be made to secure a negotiated arrangement before proceeding with a compulsory purchase order;

In response to questions from members in attendance the following points were noted:

·         The new university had been notified of the site and the current planning requirements

There was general support for action to be taken to resolve the matter.

Resolved that:

a)    subject to the conditions outlined at paragraph 17, the listed building premises known as 16-18 High Town (shown edged in red on the location plan attached to this report) are purchased and a compulsory purchase order be approved if necessary; and,

b)    authority is delegated to the director for economy communities and corporate, following consultation with the relevant cabinet member and director of finance, to approve the business case and take all necessary steps to effect the purchase within the financial parameters set out within the report