Issue - meetings

Cabinet recommends that Council approves: -

(a)             The financial strategy for the Surrey rd scheme set out in paragraphs 11 to 21 with specific approval for the use of up to £3.174M new prudential borrowing (the budget) to be repaid over 50 years from the General Fund.

(b)            Subject to Planning consent, the procurement of build works to the inhouse Construction Works Team (subject to their capacity and budget adherence).

(c)             The delegation to Director of Housing in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer) the authority to enter a contract for build works providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met.

Councillor Philip Broadhead, Leader of the Council presented the report on the PRS Housing scheme at Surrey Road, Bournemouth and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Comprehensive discussion took place on the item which included the following points being raised:

• concern was expressed with regards to the cost of the scheme
• the question was raised as to whether the council should be building social housing not houses for public rent
• the requirement to provide houses for all

[Councillors Mark Anderson, Sarah Anderson and Cheryl Johnson left the meeting at 22:41]

In response to the concerns expressed the following points were raised:

• there is a need for private rented
• the landlord is the council

·       the scheme provides local homes for local people

Upon being put to the vote the resolution fell with voting 25 For and 26 Against with 6 abstentions.

Councillor Farquhar requested his vote against the recommendation be recorded.

This scheme(site 17) is one of 44 projects within CNHAS currently being progressed along their development pipeline (refer Background Paper), has been brought forward from programme 5 - ‘Harder to reach’ sites, within the Council New build Housing and Acquisition Strategy (CNHAS) Programme - approved by Cabinet on the 29th of September 2021 and subsequently reviewed every 6 months since.

This 8 Unit scheme was submitted for planning on 22 March 2022 and a  decision is anticipated imminently.

The building works are to be procured directly with the internal Construction Works Team, subject to the capacity and budgets being acceptable- if not we will tender externally.

They will be built using the design & construction principles as set out in the approved 2021 CNHAS Strategy – a ‘fabric first’ approach- to ensure they provide high levels of thermal efficiency, space and amenity and minimise the need for retrospective environmental upgrades in the foreseeable future. Providing sustainable cost-efficient homes, critical at this time.

Cabinet RECOMMENDS that Council approves: -

(a)             The financial strategy for the Surrey rd scheme set out in paragraphs 11 to 21 with specific approval for the use of up to £3.174M new prudential borrowing (the budget) to be repaid over 50 years from the General Fund.

(b)            Subject to Planning consent, the procurement of build works to the inhouse Construction Works Team (subject to their capacity and budget adherence).

(c)             The delegation to Director of Housing in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer) the authority to enter a contract for build works providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth, Regeneration and Transformation

Reason

This additional housing will assist in working towards BCP housing targets and the targets within CNHAS. Furthermore, it will provide a substantial investment and income through the provision of a number of Private Rental Homes through the General Fund.

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

Cabinet was advised that this additional housing will assist in working towards BCP housing targets and the targets within CNHAS, and that furthermore, it will provide a substantial investment and income through the provision of a number of Private Rental Homes through the General Fund.

Cabinet was informed that this scheme(site 17) is one of 44 projects within CNHAS currently being progressed along their development pipeline (refer Background Paper), has been brought forward from programme 5 - ‘Harder to reach’ sites, within the Council New build Housing and Acquisition Strategy (CNHAS) Programme - approved by Cabinet on the 29th of September 2021 and subsequently reviewed every 6 months since.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that this 8 Unit scheme was submitted for planning on 22 March 2022 and a decision is anticipated imminently, and that the building works are to be procured directly with the internal Construction Works Team, subject to the capacity and budgets being acceptable- if not we will tender externally.

Cabinet was informed that they will be built using the design & construction principles as set out in the approved 2021 CNHAS Strategy – a ‘fabric first’ approach- to ensure they provide high levels of thermal efficiency, space and amenity and minimise the need for retrospective environmental upgrades in the foreseeable future. Providing sustainable cost-efficient homes, critical at this time.

Cabinet RECOMMENDS that Council approves: -

(a)             The financial strategy for the Surrey rd scheme set out in paragraphs 11 to 21 with specific approval for the use of up to £3.174M new prudential borrowing (the budget) to be repaid over 50 years from the General Fund.

(b)            Subject to Planning consent, the procurement of build works to the inhouse Construction Works Team (subject to their capacity and budget adherence).

(c)             The delegation to Director of Housing in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer) the authority to enter a contract for build works providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth, Regeneration and Transformation

Reason

This additional housing will assist in working towards BCP housing targets and the targets within CNHAS. Furthermore, it will provide a substantial investment and income through the provision of a number of Private Rental Homes through the General Fund.