Issue - meetings

The BCP Council owned site contains 16 garages, all of which are void. The site is currently secured pending redevelopment.

The current proposal presents a new build scheme of 3 houses and associated parking to be provided on the site. These homes will help towards Local Plan housing targets and will also contribute significantly to unmet housing need.

RESOLVED that the proposed £712k housing scheme be approved for subsequent approval request;

(a)           Approval to planning and subsequent tender, commencement and completion of build subject to the conditions set out in the Financial Strategy and authorises the Corporate Director for Environment and Community to approve necessary appropriations and contractual and legal agreements in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer;

(b)           Approve the financial strategy for the scheme as set out in paragraphs 45 to 49 with specific approval for;

(i)            The appropriation of land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to enable the development of the affordable housing valued at £35k;

(ii)           £358,668 of prudential borrowing to be repaid over 25 years used to finance the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Affordable rented homes;

(c)           Authorise the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance to determine the detailed funding arrangements;

(d)           Authorise the Corporate Property Officer in consultation with the Monitoring Officer to agree the detailed contract provisions.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Housing

Reason

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

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

Cabinet were advised that the BCP Council owned site contained 16 garages, all of which were void and that the site had been secured pending redevelopment. In relation to this Cabinet were requested to consider approve the finances for the current proposal which presented a new build scheme of 3 houses and associated parking to be provided on the site. Further to this Cabinet were advised that these homes would help towards Local Plan housing targets and would also contribute significantly to unmet housing need.

A Councillor present at the meeting addressed Cabinet expressing disappointment that there was no provision for social housing within the scheme, and stressing that it should be possible to make the money work for what you want to achieve.

In relation to this the Portfolio Holder advised that going forwards the Council will be looking for sites where it is possible to achieve social housing.

RESOLVED that the proposed £712k housing scheme be approved for subsequent approval request;

(a)          Approval to planning and subsequent tender, commencement and completion of build subject to the conditions set out in the Financial Strategy and authorises the Corporate Director for Environment and Community to approve necessary appropriations and contractual and legal agreements in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer;

(b)          Approve the financial strategy for the scheme as set out in paragraphs 45 to 49 with specific approval for;

(i)           The appropriation of land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to enable the development of the affordable housing valued at £35k;

(ii)         £358,668 of prudential borrowing to be repaid over 25 years used to finance the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Affordable rented homes;

(c)          Authorise the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance to determine the detailed funding arrangements;

(d)          Authorise the Corporate Property Officer in consultation with the Monitoring Officer to agree the detailed contract provisions.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Housing