Item 7 - Disposal of Parkhall Library
West Dunbartonshire Council · 13 August 2025
Back to Infrastructure, Regeneration & Economic Development Committee — 13 August 2025 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer: Resources Infrastructure Regeneration and Economic Development Committee: 13 August 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: Sale of former Parkhall Library premises, Hawthorn Street, Parkhall, Clydebank G81 3HZ 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek Committee approval for West Dunbartonshire Council (the Council) to dispose of the former Parkhall Library (the property) to Rose Donaghey. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended Committee: (i) Approves the disposal of the former Parkhall Library to Rose Donaghey at a sale price of £151,000. (ii) Authorises the Chief Officer Resources to conclude negotiations. (iii) Authorises the Chief Officer Regulatory and Regeneration to conclude the transaction on such conditions as considered appropriate. 3. Background 3.1 The property is wholly owned by the Council and has been declared surplus to operational requirements 4. Main Issues 4.1 The property is not required by the Council for any operational purpose. 4.2 The property was marketed For Sale between May and June 2025. Marketing Details (Appendix 1) were prepared and issued in the normal manner. 4.3 The availability of the property was listed on the Council’s website and a For Sale board erected at the property. 4.4 A closing date was set for receipt of offers on 1 July 2025. Eight bids offering to purchase were received, prices offered ranging from £7,400 to £151,000 for a variety of potential uses. One of the offers did not state a purchase price. ITEM 7
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4.5 Following officer assessment, the offer of £151,000 from Rose Donaghey for the property to be used for commercial use (conversion to a commercial unit and, thereafter, used as a takeaway and sit-down café), is considered the most attractive. 4.6 This offer is not subject to any conditions. It is a cash purchase with no mortgage and/or loan funding required to complete the sale. 4.7 The proposed preferred bidder has indicated they wish to take entry to the property as soon as possible and have committed to a completion date of 4 weeks from the date of any Committee approval. 4.8 The joint second highest monetary bids, both offering a purchase price of £150,000 were as follows: Glasgow Swahili Muslim Community Community based use Non-conditional Charlene McGowan & Thomas McManus Commercial use (Training Centre/Hairdressers) Conditional on Change of Use Planning Consent 4.9 These three bids were considerably above the next highest offer of £70,000. 4.10 The intended use by the highest bidder will require a change of use application to the planning authority, however, the offer is not subject to this approval being granted. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no significant people implications other than the resources required by legal services and asset management to negotiate missives and conclude the transaction. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 The Council will benefit from a capital receipt of £151,000. 6.2 The Council will no longer have to incur resources in managing and maintaining the property including utility costs. 6.3 There are no procurement implications arising from this report. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 The disposal is subject to legal due diligence. There is a risk of the sale not proceeding due to any issues emerging during the due diligence process.
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8. Environmental Sustainability 8.1 The development of the Property will require to be in line with current building and environmental standards. 9. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 9.1 An Equality Impact Assessment is not applicable for the purpose of this report. 10. Consultation 10.1 Consultations have been undertaken with Regulatory Services and Planning. 11. Strategic Assessment 11.1 By agreeing to this proposal the Council will benefit in terms of receiving a capital receipt and removing a revenue liability from the Council’s asset portfolio. 11.2 By agreeing to this proposal this will be contributing to the Council’s strategic priority for a strong local economy and improved job opportunities. Laurence Slavin Chief Officer: Resources Date: 28 July 2025 Person to Contact: Michelle Lynn, Asset Manager Email: michelle.lynn@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Craig Maxwell, Estates Surveyor Email: craig.maxwell@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: Appendix 1 – Marketing Details. Background Papers: None Wards Affected: Ward 5