Policy on Disposal of Surplus Lands and Buildings

1. Background

   1. Council has previously undertaken a survey of its non-infrastructure assets to identify those which were surplus and potentially best disposed of by sale. The costs (and in some cases legislation) associated with disposal has also impeded the process. Council envisages that there will be instances where the best value proposition for the ratepayer is to sell such sites.¹

2. Purpose

   1. The purpose of this policy is to ensure:
      • the best value and long term benefit have been obtained for the community; and,
      • that the disposal process has been open and fair.
   2. Council recognises that best value does not necessarily mean the highest financial offer and will include non-financial considerations.

3. Application

   1. This policy applies only to a site where Council has decided that it can be disposed of on the open market. The Council will also take into account the following issues where applicable:
      1. consideration of the current tenants or users of the asset;
      2. the ability of other assets to provide the same service;
      3. frequency of use;
      4. cultural significance to hapū and Iwi;
      5. how the land was originally acquired;
      6. the ongoing maintenance costs to the community;
      7. community views on whether it should be considered as surplus;
      8. income generated from the asset;
      9. cost of disposal;
      10. statutory processes; and
      11. levels of service desired in the Long Term Plan.
   2. ‘Surplus site’ means Council owned land and building(s) on a particular Certificate of Title which Council has resolved is no longer required by the community/District. This excludes buildings where Council retains ownership of the land and land which is leased (and not for sale), and where Council is involved in the sale of a property only to recoup rates arrears.
   3. Unless Council resolves otherwise, the policy only applies to a site which has a market value exceeding $50,000.

4. Disposal Process

   1. Council will resolve prior to tenders being sought, how much weight is to be given to non-financial considerations.
   2. An open tender process will be used when disposing of all surplus sites.
   3. Tenders will be required to address the non-financial considerations specified in Table 1.
   4. Consideration of tenders will involve both the price and non-financial considerations.
   5. Tenders will be initially evaluated and ranked on non-financial considerations. This ranking will then be compared with the prices offered.
   6. A tender scoring less than 35% in the non-financial considerations will be excluded from the process.
   7. The highest financial offer will not necessarily be accepted.
   8. The successful tender (if any) will be that which provides the best value proposition for the District, taking into account financial and non-financial considerations. Council and tenderers will be advised of the outcome, showing the range in the non-financial considerations, and in the price, together with the name of the successful tenderer.
   9. The administration of this policy is delegated to the Chief Executive unless the market value of the site exceeds $250,000.

Table 1. Non-financial considerations.

Notes

1. Changes announced in August 2014 to government policy applying to disposal of Crown reserve land means greater opportunity for Council to rationalise its holdings of land and buildings.
2. Adopted by Council 26 February 2015 15/RDC/041