Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Housing

The Cabinet Member Housing introduced the report which sought approval from Council to enter into a JCT Design and Build Contract with J Harper and Sons with Total Scheme Costs not to exceed £1,439,500. The scheme would deliver ten new homes.

The Cabinet Member highlighted that affordable housing was in high demand in town and should remain a priority. He explained that following the granting of planning permission for 10 units in July a procurement process was undertaken in August with 8 companies expressing an interest. The tender from J Harper and Sons was competitive in the current market and represented value for money for the size and scope of the works proposed. The proposed redevelopment of this site within the HRA was also a good use of Right to Buy receipts and this pipeline of developments should continue as it provided solutions to complex brownfield sites.

The Cabinet Member Housing wished to put on record his thanks to Cheltenham Borough Homes and CBC officers who had been involved.

In the debate that ensued Members welcomed the proposed scheme which brought much needed development of the site and affordable housing to the town.

RESOLVED (unanimously) THAT

1.    the allocation of up to £1,439,500 for the construction of ten new dwellings be authorised.

2.    it be noted that the total scheme costs of £1,439,500 (broken down in further detail in exempt appendix 3) will be funded by circa £430k of RTB receipts with the balance funded by the most appropriate combination of the other funding streams noted within the report – this decision being delegated to the Section 151 Officer in accordance with Financial Rules B7 and B8.

3.    it be approved that loan finance be sourced of up to £1.0m from the Public Works Loan Board to be used for the construction of ten new dwellings.

Report of the Cabinet Member Housing

RESOLVED THAT

1.    Subject to subsequent Council approval, the Authority be authorised to accept the tender received from J Harper and Sons and enter into a JCT Design and Build Contract for the construction of ten new dwellings with Total Scheme Costs not to exceed £1,439,500.

2.    Authority be delegated to the Head of Property and Asset Management, in consultation with the Borough Solicitor to:

i)             Conclude the JCT Design and Build contract with J Harper and             Sons

ii)            Take all necessary steps and undertake all necessary procedures, including entering into any legal agreements or other documentation as may be required to implement or facilitate the developments

3.     The Authority be authorised to charge Affordable Rents to all ten dwellings at 80% of Market Rents.

It be recommended to Council to:

4.    Authorise the allocation of up to £1,439,500 for the construction of ten new dwellings  

5.    Note that the total scheme costs of £1,439,500 (broken down in further detail in exempt appendix 3) will be funded by circa £430k of RTB receipts with the balance funded by the most appropriate combination of the other funding streams noted within the report – this decision being delegated to the Section 151 Officer in accordance with Financial Rules B7 and B8.

6.    Approve the Authority sourcing loan finance of up to £1.0m from the Public Works Loan Board to be used for the construction of ten new dwellings.

The Cabinet Member Housing, Councillor Peter Jeffries, introduced the report. He explained that in March 2015 the Cabinet resolved that the Authority seek bids from contractors to build new homes on the redevelopment of the site at the corner of Swindon Road/Brunswick Street. Following a recent procurement exercise this report was now seeking approval to enter into a JCT Design and Build Contract with J Harper and Sons with Total Scheme Costs not to exceed £1,439,500.  The scheme will deliver ten new homes which would be available for rent and provide affordable housing. He thanked Cheltenham Borough Homes for the excellent consultation they had carried out with stakeholders and the community.

Other Members welcomed this development on a former brown field site and felt it emphasised the commitment of the council to providing affordable housing and would benefit the local environment and community.

RESOLVED THAT

1.    Subject to subsequent Council approval, the Authority be authorised to accept the tender received from J Harper and Sons and enter into a JCT Design and Build Contract for the construction of ten new dwellings with Total Scheme Costs not to exceed £1,439,500.

2.    Authority be delegated to the Head of Property and Asset Management, in consultation with the Borough Solicitor to:

i)             Conclude the JCT Design and Build contract with J Harper and Sons

ii)            Take all necessary steps and undertake all necessary procedures, including entering into any legal agreements or other documentation as may be required to implement or facilitate the developments

3.     The Authority be authorised to charge Affordable Rents to all ten dwellings at 80% of Market Rents.

It be recommended to Council to:

4.    Authorise the allocation of up to £1,439,500 for the construction of ten new dwellings. 

5.    Note that the total scheme costs of £1,439,500 (broken down in further detail in exempt appendix 3) will be funded by circa £430k of RTB receipts with the balance funded by the most appropriate combination of the other funding streams noted within the report – this decision being delegated to the Section 151 Officer in accordance with Financial Rules B7 and B8.

6.    Approve the Authority sourcing loan finance of up to £1.0m from the Public Works Loan Board to be used for the construction of ten new dwellings.