Dealing with late, conditional or otherwise non-compliant bids

A005/4 - Reviewed January 2020

11. Review of property disposal procedures

Report by the Director of Environmental Services and Assistant Chief Executive and Solicitor to the Council (OPS11).

In November 1995 the Local Government Ombudsman's office issued its 5th Guidance on good practice for the disposal of land. The Local Government Ombudsman advised that local authorities should have clear arrangements for the disposal of surplus property which obviate, so far as possible, accusations of unfairness and impropriety.

The guidance note also suggested that local authorities should review from time to time their procedures to ensure that those requirements are met. In addition all local authorities have to ensure that property disposals comply with statutory requirements.

A review of existing county council procedures has been completed in accordance with the guidance note. These were found to meet the Ombudsman's guidance though officers considered that members needed to be aware of problems encountered through the submission of late and non-compliant bids.

The sub-committee are RECOMMENDED to reaffirm the county council's procedures for the disposal of surplus property subject to the treatment of late, conditional, or otherwise non-compliant bids, and the reduction or withdrawal of "subject to contract" bids as set out in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the report.

42/97 Review of property disposal procedures

(Agenda Item 11)

The sub-committee considered a report (OPS11) which reviewed the council's procedures for property disposal in the light of a guidance note on good practice issued by the Local Government Ombudsman's office.

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Mrs Morgan, seconded by Councillor Purse and carried nem con) to reaffirm the county council's procedures for the disposal of surplus property subject to the treatment of late, conditional, or otherwise non-compliant bids, and the reduction or withdrawal of "subject to contract" bids as set out in paragraphs 10 and 11 of OPS11.