Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability seeking approval for the procurement and delivery options for Townhill Park Phase 1 regeneration. Work will progress next year to start demolishing homes and therefore delegated approval is also required for the Compulsory Purchase Orders. Delegated powers are also required to enable the open space disposal. These action will kick-start Phase 1 of Townhill Park and the regeneration of the area, attached.

DECISION MADE: (CAB 15/16 16398)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability, having received recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee held on 4^th February, 2016, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the commencement of a procurement process for the redevelopment of Townhill Park Phase 1 to deliver a scheme acceptable in planning terms which should include the provision of Starter Homes and affordable housing;

(ii)  To delegate to the Chief Operating Officer following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability, agreement of the procurement details.  The preferred bidder will be referred to Cabinet for approval;

(iii)  To delegate to the Chief Operating Officer the commencement of the Compulsory Purchase Order process necessary to secure the delivery of the scheme in Phase 1 by the carrying out of land referencing, survey and other information gathering activities to establish the detailed type and scope of powers required and the extent of interests likely to be affected;

(iv)  To note that the Chief Operating Officer will seek Cabinet approval for the making of the Compulsory Purchase Order at the appropriate time;

(v)  To resolve that the use of the Council’s compulsory purchase powers under section 226 (1) (a) Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to facilitate the redevelopment of Phase One would be justified in principle;

(vi)  To authorise the Service Director, Legal and Governance :(a) To acquire interests in or rights over the land shown edged red on Appendix 1 either by agreement or compulsorily; (b) To advertise the proposed disposal of part of Townhill Park open space for two consecutive weeks in a local newspaper circulating in the locality;

(vii)  To delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer following  consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability to determine any objections received from the adverts and to make a final decision as to whether or not to approve the disposal in light of any such objections and to finally take the decision to confirm the disposal;

(viii)  To authorise the Chief Operating Officer, following consultation with the Service Director, Legal and Governance and the Chief Financial Officer, to take all lawful steps to effect the proposals in the report;

(ix)  To approve the demolition of the former Ark Public House;

(x)  To note that the current approved budget for site assembly will be used to cover the costs of activities outlined in this paper;

(xi)  To note that there is £7.7M available in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan for the purchase of affordable properties in Townhill Park Phase 1; and

(xii)  To thank the Townhill Park Forum for working with the Council on the project, their contribution and valuable comments, as the scheme has progressed.