Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Housing

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The acquisition of the site at 320 Swindon Road be approved on a conditional basis on the terms referenced at paragraphs 1 -5 within Appendix 2;

2.    The development of the site for affordable housing to be owned by the Authority be approved;

3.    It be noted that 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 on this site;

4.    It be noted that 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 number of dwellings to be provided and will authorise the award of the contracts to the successful bidders where contracts are in excess of £100,000;

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

a.    submit and accept bids to Homes England (HE) for grant funding to support the delivery of new affordable housing and, subject to consultation with the Borough Solicitor, enter into required grant agreements;

b.    agree the tenure of the affordable housing that will be delivered on the site;

c.    approve the disposal of the units on a shared ownership basis, at an initial equity share appropriate to prospective purchasers.

6.    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:

a.    entering into any legal documents for and associated with the purchase of the site and disposal of constructed units on a shared ownership basis;

b.    entering into legal agreements and contracts (other than those referred to in paragraph 7(a) which do not exceed £100,000 or other documentation as may be required to implement or facilitate the development.

The Cabinet Member Housing presented the report, noting that the council continued to constantly look at potential sites, in conjunction with housing delivery groups. In this case, 28 homes were to be built on a site on Swindon Road that had been vacant for a long time. He stressed that the council must drive forward affordable housing opportunities wherever they crop up.

The Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment praised both the addition of new affordable homes and the regeneration of a long-term vacant site.

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety emphasised that the Swindon Road acquisition was part of a much wider strategy involving many other sites where affordable housing would be created in the years to come.

The Leader of the Council noted an error on the agenda, where it referred to the site as being in St Paul’s ward rather than Swindon Village.

The Leader moved to a vote, which was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The acquisition of the site at 320 Swindon Road be approved on a conditional basis on the terms referenced at paragraphs 1 -5 within Appendix 2;

2.    The development of the site for affordable housing to be owned by the Authority be approved;

3.    It be noted that 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 on this site;

4.    It be noted that 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 number of dwellings to be provided and will authorise the award of the contracts to the successful bidders where contracts are in excess of £100,000;

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

a.    submit and accept bids to Homes England (HE) for grant funding to support the delivery of new affordable housing and, subject to consultation with the Borough Solicitor, enter into required grant agreements;

b.    agree the tenure of the affordable housing that will be delivered on the site;

c.    approve the disposal of the units on a shared ownership basis, at an initial equity share appropriate to prospective purchasers.

6.    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:

a.    entering into any legal documents for and associated with the purchase of the site and disposal of constructed units on a shared ownership basis;

b.    entering into legal agreements and contracts (other than those referred to in paragraph 7(a) which do not exceed £100,000 or other documentation as may be required to implement or facilitate the development.