Decision details

To approve the pipeline of delivery of affordable housing across a number of garage sites.

RESOLVED THAT

1.  the garage strategy at Appendix 2 be approved

2.  It be noted that :-

2.1 the Head of Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member – Housing will agree which sites will be taken forward for the further feasibility work as outlined above in the Executive Summary

2.2 following the feasibility work, the Cabinet Member – Housing will receive recommendations from the Head of Property Services to approve those garage sites which should be developed as affordable housing to be owned by the Authority (subject to planning permission and costs being within budget)

2.3 following identification of the garages sites pursuant to recommendation 2.2, CBH, on behalf of the Authority, will apply for planning permission and conduct procurements to select contractors to carry out the design and construction of the new housing

2.4. subject to the tenders for the construction of the new housing being within the budgets approved by full Council and the receipt of planning permission, the Cabinet Member – Housing will approve the change of use of the garage sites to use for the provision of new Council owned affordable housing and will authorise the award of the contracts to the successful bidders where contracts are in excess of £100,000

2.5 if the feasibility work identifies uses for the garage sites other than affordable housing to be owned by the Authority, a further report(s) will be prepared for approval by Cabinet or the Lead Member as required by the Constitution

3. Authority be delegated to the Executive Director – Finance and Assets,  in consultation with the Cabinet Member Housing to:-

3.1 submit and accept bids to Homes England for grant funding to support the delivery of new build schemes

3.2 agree the tenure of the affordable housing that will be delivered on individual sites

4. Authority be delegated to the Head of Property, in consultation with the Borough Solicitor, to take all necessary steps and  undertake all necessary procedures, including entering into any legal agreements and contracts which do not exceed £100,000 or other documentation as may be required to implement or facilitate the developments