Issue - meetings

This scheme is being brought forward from programme 5 (hardest to reach) of CNHAS -  approved by Cabinet on the 29^th September 2021.

The BCP owned site currently consists of 2x 1-bedroom bungalows at 1 Summers Avenue and 10 Tonge Road, Bournemouth, residing in the protected Heathland zone. The existing properties present ongoing significant maintenance issues for BCP Council which are not sustainable or flexible enough in their use.

The site presents an opportunity for redevelopment and the building of replacement – but with more bedrooms, better quality sustainable affordable and flexible homes. 

One property is empty with the tenant in a Council owned temporary decant property, waiting for approval for this to become a permanent decant. The other property is occupied with an alternative Council owned property identified. Once approval to progress the development is provided both tenants decant will become permanent .

The new homes provide 2x 2-bed wheelchair properties, catering for a variety of needs. Planning was granted on 20^th September 2022. The increase from 1 to 2 beds is a positive response to the restrictive Heathland designation.

The Housing Delivery team, BCP Homes colleagues and Adult Social care are working together to ensure the most appropriate residents are placed in these flexible homes when they are complete.

The necessary building works are to be procured directly with the internal Construction Works Team, subject to capacity and budgets being acceptable.

They will be built using the design & construction principles as set out in the approved CNHAS Strategy to ensure they provide high levels of thermal efficiency, space and amenity and minimise the need for retrospective environmental upgrades in the foreseeable future – refer para 6.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           the budget of £543k for the new Summers Avenue scheme to the Council Newbuild Housing & Acquisitions Strategy (CHNAS) be approved;

(b)           the financial strategy for the scheme as set out in paragraphs 8 to 11 with specific approval for the use of £400k new prudential borrowing to be repaid over 50 years from the HRA be approved;

(c)           the procurement of build works to the inhouse Construction Works Team (subject to capacity and budget compliance) be approved;

(d)          the delegation to SRO (in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer) authority to enter into a contract for build works providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met; and

(e)          the appropriation of land for housing purposes if required be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

Reason

To enable the proposed affordable housing scheme to progress with the agreed funding arrangements through to construction and subsequent completion to deliver the wide range of benefits to the Council and local communities.

The Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that this scheme is being brought forward from programme 5 (hardest to reach) of CNHAS which was approved by Cabinet on the 29^th September 2021, and that the BCP owned site currently consists of 2x 1-bedroom bungalows at 1 Summers Avenue and 10 Tonge Road, Bournemouth, residing in the protected Heathland zone.

Cabinet was informed that the existing properties present ongoing significant maintenance issues for BCP Council which are not sustainable or flexible enough in their use, and that the site presents an opportunity for redevelopment and the building of replacement – but with more bedrooms, better quality sustainable affordable and flexible homes. 

Cabinet was advised that one property is empty with the tenant in a Council owned temporary decant property, waiting for approval for this to become a permanent decant, and that the other property is occupied with an alternative Council owned property identified.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that once approval to progress the development is provided both tenants decant will become permanent.

Cabinet was informed that the new homes provide 2x 2-bed wheelchair properties, catering for a variety of needs. Planning was granted on 20^th September 2022, and that the increase from 1 to 2 beds is a positive response to the restrictive Heathland designation.

Cabinet was advised that the Housing Delivery team, BCP Homes colleagues and Adult Social care are working together to ensure the most appropriate residents are placed in these flexible homes when they are complete.

Cabinet was further advised that the necessary building works are to be procured directly with the internal Construction Works Team, subject to capacity and budgets being acceptable, and that they will be built using the design & construction principles as set out in the approved CNHAS Strategy to ensure they provide high levels of thermal efficiency, space and amenity and minimise the need for retrospective environmental upgrades in the foreseeable future.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           the budget of £543k for the new Summers Avenue scheme to the Council Newbuild Housing & Acquisitions Strategy (CHNAS) be approved;

(b)           the financial strategy for the scheme as set out in paragraphs 8 to 11 with specific approval for the use of £400k new prudential borrowing to be repaid over 50 years from the HRA be approved;

(c)           the procurement of build works to the inhouse Construction Works Team (subject to capacity and budget compliance) be approved;

(d)          the delegation to SRO (in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer) authority to enter into a contract for build works providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met; and

(e)          the appropriation of land for housing purposes if required be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration