Issue - meetings

These schemes are being brought forward though the Council Newbuild Housing and Acquisition Strategy (CNHAS), a direct housing delivery route approved by Full Council in November 2021.

The proposal presented here is for all three sites to be progressed, they have very similar characteristics, being built at a similar time to a similar standard and designed by the same architect, but they are split into Individual approval recommendations - so each site -whose individual budget is less than £1m, can be assessed on its own merits by Cabinet.

These proposals replace unsustainable homes/underutilised garages which carry significant maintenance requirements should they be retained - and renew them with replacement family homes built to a highly sustainable standard. Overall, the proposals present a net gain of 2 new affordable homes which will be let to those with a housing need.

Detailed reports are attached as appendices on all three proposed schemes. 

Resolved that Cabinet approve: -

(a)            the development of 2 x 3 bedroom affordable rented homes at Craigmoor Avenue at a total scheme cost (Capital Budget) of £680,000;

(b)            the development of 2 x 2-bedroom affordable rented homes at Rochester Road at a total scheme cost (Capital Budget) of £598,000;

(c)            the demolition of underutilised garages at Grants Close and the development of 2 x 2-bedroom affordable rented homes at a total scheme cost (Capital Budget) of £597,000; 

(d)            awarding of the build works to the in-house Construction Works Team - subject to capacity and acceptable budget compliance; and

(e)            delegation to relevant Service Director to undertake an external procurement process should the in-house team not be able to comply with the budget and/or have insufficient capacity.

(f)              the delegation to the relevant Service Director, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer of the authority to enter into the Contracts for build works, - provided that all key parameters (including delivery within the approved capital budget) are met.

Voting: Nem. Con.

Portfolio Holder: Housing and Regulatory Services

Reason

This proposal supports the redevelopment of three sites which contain assets which carry significant maintenance requirements if retained and the opportunity to provide additional affordable housing to meet housing need.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that these schemes are being brought forward though the Council Newbuild Housing and Acquisition Strategy (CNHAS), a direct housing delivery route approved by Full Council in November 2021, and that the proposal presented is for all three sites to be progressed.

Cabinet was informed that the sites have very similar characteristics, being built at a similar time to a similar standard and designed by the same architect but are split into Individual approval recommendations - so each site - whose individual budget is less than £1m, can be assessed on its own merits by Cabinet.

Cabinet was advised that these proposals replace unsustainable homes/underutilised garages which carry significant maintenance requirements should they be retained and renew them with replacement family homes built to a highly sustainable standard.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that overall, the proposals present a net gain of 2 new affordable homes which will be let to those with a housing need, and that detailed reports were attached as appendices on all three proposed schemes; Rochester Road – 2 houses, Craigmore Avenue 2 houses and Grants Close 2 houses.

A non-Cabinet Member highlighted a number of planning issues with the proposed development in Grant’s Close. The Leader advised for clarity that the decision to be taken by Cabinet was in relation to funding for the proposals rather than particular planning issues. In response to this the Portfolio Holder welcomed communication from any local resident who experienced issues particularly during the construction phase and advised that the Council would respond.

A Cabinet member highlighted the importance of the social impact of the provision of the housing schemes to provide affordable housing and the transformable effect these would have on people’s lives. Cabinet was advised that the housing was all being built to Passiv House standards.

That Cabinet approved: -

(a)            the development of 2 x 3 bedroom affordable rented homes at Craigmoor Avenue at a total scheme cost (Capital Budget) of £680,000;

(b)            the development of 2 x 2-bedroom affordable rented homes at Rochester Road at a total scheme cost (Capital Budget) of £598,000;

(c)            the demolition of underutilised garages at Grants Close and the development of 2 x 2-bedroom affordable rented homes at a total scheme cost (Capital Budget) of £597,000; 

(d)            awarding of the build works to the in-house Construction Works Team - subject to capacity and acceptable budget compliance; and

(e)            delegation to relevant Service Director to undertake an external procurement process should the in-house team not be able to comply with the budget and/or have insufficient capacity.

(f)              the delegation to the relevant Service Director, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer of the authority to enter into the Contracts for build works, - provided that all key parameters (including delivery within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45