Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member Housing and Safety

The Cabinet Member Housing and Safety paid tribute to Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH) for the positive work they had done in St Pauls. He then invited Paul Stephenson, Chief Executive, CBH, to introduce the report.

The Chief Executive CBH explained that Cabinet had mandated CBH in March 2012 to review development options for Crabtree Place, Cakebridge Place and four garage sites and to seek a development partner for these schemes following the completion of an appropriate competitive selection process. He highlighted that the recommendations in the report recognised that the work was incomplete and that final design and financial and legal implications needed to be worked through. With reference to recommendation (iv) the Chief Executive CBH mentioned that there had been two working group meetings of senior officers from CBC and CBH where the concepts had been worked through and key issues addressed.

Communication and consultation was key to the process and this had been illustrated by the experience of the Brighton Road and St Paul’s developments. The selection process was multifaceted and consulting with the community was a critical part of this.

CBH had been mandated to complete the developer selection process and to commence the next phase. The garage sites already had planning permission and with other schemes design considerations still needed to be modified. He expressed his gratitude to his council colleagues involved in the selection process.

The Cabinet Member Housing and Safety said these developments was good news for affordable homes in Cheltenham and thanked officers for their work.

Members welcomed the continued involvement of ward members in the process.

The Leader explained that this was a positive process. Developments in Brighton Road and St Pauls had been successful and these new developments would add to affordable housing in the town. He highlighted however that this process was not routine as each area comprised different communities with different issues and concerns.

RESOLVED that:

(i)         CBH be mandated to secure the best available deal from developers in respect of net construction cost for the three schemes.

 (ii)       CBH can continue contractual negotiations such that early planning submissions can be made in respect of Cakebridge Place and Crabtree Place.

 (iii)      CBH be mandated to act in respect of decanting tenants and securing the freeholds of privately owned properties, in full consultation with affected persons and subject to acceptance of appropriate terms and rehousing options.

 (iv)      The decision with regard to ownership of the developments be delegated to Grahame Lewis, Executive Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Housing & Safety, Section 151 Officer and CBH following receipt of legal advice.  This decision is to be made prior to any contractual commitment being entered into with any developer.

 (v)       If the decision at (iv) is for CBH to own the completed properties the council will, subject to all necessary consents being received from the Secretary of State, agree to transfer land as required at nil cost (on the assumption that the capital receipt from sales land values at St Pauls will be used to subsidise development costs) and provide financial support through the affordable housing reserve and provide access to PWLB borrowing.