DECISION:

1.    Note the alternative delivery approaches set out in the report.

2.    To rescind the Cabinet decision of December 2021 to dispose the Bromley Hall/Lochnagar Street site and to instead include that site within the scope of the proposals in the report.

3.    The Mayor will approve the Heads of Terms of the final agreements for each development package for the Joint Venture (JV) Development Agreements, following consultation with the Chief Executive and the interim Corporate Director of Resources. 

4.    Approve a revenue-funded budget allocation of £1.1m from the HRA to cover the professional fees for legal, and consultancy advice and any de-risking activity to potential sites being delivered through the JV Development Agreement approach to enable the alternative delivery route to be established and progressed to the issue of the tender prospectus

5.    Authorise  the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor and the interim Corporate Director of Resources, to substitute schemes within the Approved HRA Capital Programme.

6.    After prior consultation with the Chief Executive and the interim Corporate Director of Resources, the Mayor will authorise them to take all necessary steps to deliver the approved capital programme, including but not limited to  going  out to tender, appointing  consultants and contractors in accordance with the Procurement Procedures, acquiring land interests, appropriating   land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for the delivery of new council homes and exercising other rights of appropriation, subject to approved budget.

7.    Note the Equalities Impact Assessment and specific equalities considerations as set out in Section 4 of the report.

ACTION BY:

DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (K.SWIFT)

Head of Housing Supply (R. Brandon)

Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuildingintroduced the report that, following previous Cabinet discussions concerning alternative delivery routes that limit the use of HRA funding, suggested an approach to increasing housing delivery and the resources required to maximise the development of additional social homes for rent. Karen Swift, (Divisional Director, Housing and Regeneration) added further details and context.

The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report. He welcomed the report’s proposals which he felt:

·         Presented a tried and tested approach to expand delivery of housing at pace.

·         Would begin to overturn the severe overcrowding faced in the borough and the failure of the previous administration to remedy it.

·         Would remove ‘red tape’ to ensure homes can be freed up where wanted and viable sites be brought back into use after sitting redundant for many years.

He further explained how addressing overcrowding in the borough would realise additional benefits such as reduction in ASB and young people out on the streets.  He explained how the Council would use the new approach to work with development partners, whilst ensuring supply of social homes for rent and other benefits. He also explained the possible future roles of RSLs and how the Council proposed to hold them to account. 

The Cabinet welcomed the report and echoed the sentiments of the Mayor. They felt the proposed programme was ambitious and demonstrated strong leadership. They noted and welcomed the additional funding proposed for professional fees to ensure minimal delay.

The Mayor noted and amended the recommendations as follows:

·         To replace all references to ‘Corporate Director of Place’, with ‘Chief Executive’; and

·         To add a requirement for consultation with the Mayor to all delegated authority resolutions.

The Mayor also explained that he wished to formally rescind a past Cabinet decision (taken under the previous administration) to dispose of the site at Bromley Hall/Lochnagar Street. The site would instead be included in the package of sites as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1.    Notes the alternative delivery approaches set out in the report.

2.    Rescinds the Cabinet decision of December 2021 to dispose the Bromley Hall/Lochnagar Street site and to instead include that site within the scope of the proposals in the report.

3.    The Mayor will approve the Heads of Terms of the final agreements for each development package for the Joint Venture (JV) Development Agreements, following consultation with the Chief Executive and the interim Corporate Director of Resources. 

4.    Approves a revenue-funded budget allocation of £1.1m from the HRA to cover the professional fees for legal, and consultancy advice and any de-risking activity to potential sites being delivered through the JV Development Agreement approach to enable the alternative delivery route to be established and progressed to the issue of the tender prospectus

5.    Authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor and the interim Corporate Director of Resources, to substitute schemes within the Approved HRA Capital Programme.

6.    After prior consultation with the Chief Executive and the interim Corporate Director of Resources, the Mayor will authorise them to take all necessary steps to deliver the approved capital programme, including but not limited to  going  out to tender, appointing  consultants and contractors in accordance with the Procurement Procedures, acquiring land interests, appropriating   land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for the delivery of new council homes and exercising other rights of appropriation, subject to approved budget.

7.    Note the Equalities Impact Assessment and specific equalities considerations as set out in Section 4 of the report.