To consider a call in on the  Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 2022 - 25 Capital Programme: Latest position decision made by Cabinet on 30 November 2022.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Question and officer response were noted.

DECISION

1.    To approve the budget allocations for new schemes being added to the programme as substitutes for previously approved schemes which are being removed, subject to sign off through the capital governance process and agreement to proceed given by the Corporate Director, Place in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director, Resources.

2.    To approve the addition of Buckhurst Street, Smithy Street, Candy Street, housing on the St Georges Leisure Centre site, the purchase of 9 completed homes at Royal Mint Street, the conversion of Albert Jacob House to be funded by the removal of the Ashington House scheme and unallocated grant and s106, subject to sign off through the capital governance process and agreement to proceed given by the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and Corporate Director, Resources.

3.    To approve the removal of the housing companies from the capital programme.

4.    To approve the virement of £2.098m from the THH capital works budget of £90.200m for essential works at Watney Market car park

5.    To approve delegated authority to the Corporate Director, Place, in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director, Resources, to substitute schemes within the Approved HRA Capital Programme.

6.    To note that schemes funded by future capital receipts (RTB receipts) and/or s106 contributions will not go ahead until such funds have been received by the Council.

7.    To approve delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director of Resources for all activities required to deliver the approved capital programme, for example but not exclusively, go out to tender, appoint consultants and contractors in accordance with the Procurement Procedures, acquire land interests, appropriate land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for the delivery of new council homes and other rights of appropriation, subject to approved budget.

8.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment and specific equalities considerations as set out in Section 4 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (K. BARTLE)

(Interim Capital Programme Manager (Housing) (J. Abraham)

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, introduced the report on the Housing Revenue Account  Capital Programme. It set out the latest position including a number of proposed amendments and updates. An increase in the number of good-sized family homes was a key priority for the programme in future.

The Mayor welcomed the report and highlighted that tackling the severe overcrowding in the borough was a key priority for his administration. He thanked officers and the Lead Member for their work in updating the programme to reflect his priorities. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Question and officer response and agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the budget allocations for new schemes being added to the programme as substitutes for previously approved schemes which are being removed, subject to sign off through the capital governance process and agreement to proceed given by the Corporate Director, Place in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director, Resources.

2.    To approve the addition of Buckhurst Street, Smithy Street, Candy Street, housing on the St Georges Leisure Centre site, the purchase of 9 completed homes at Royal Mint Street, the conversion of Albert Jacob House to be funded by the removal of the Ashington House scheme and unallocated grant and s106, subject to sign off through the capital governance process and agreement to proceed given by the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and Corporate Director, Resources.

3.    To approve the removal of the housing companies from the capital programme.

4.    To approve the virement of £2.098m from the THH capital works budget of £90.200m for essential works at Watney Market car park

5.    To approve delegated authority to the Corporate Director, Place, in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director, Resources, to substitute schemes within the Approved HRA Capital Programme.

6.    To note that schemes funded by future capital receipts (RTB receipts) and/or s106 contributions will not go ahead until such funds have been received by the Council.

7.    To approve delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director of Resources for all activities required to deliver the approved capital programme, for example but not exclusively, go out to tender, appoint consultants and contractors in accordance with the Procurement Procedures, acquire land interests, appropriate land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for the delivery of new council homes and other rights of appropriation, subject to approved budget.

8.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment and specific equalities considerations as set out in Section 4 of the report.