Decision details

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council seeking approval to consult on the draft Decommissioning of Housing Stock Policy and the draft Acquisition and Compulsory Purchase Order Policy and the commencement of the decommissioning process for the remainder of Townhill Park.

(i)  To approve the commencement of consultation on the proposed Draft Decommissioning of Housing Stock Policy and the Draft Acquisition and Compulsory Purchase Orders Policy.

(ii)  To approve the commencement of statutory consultation on the proposed commencement of the decommissioning of the remaining properties in Townhill Park Regeneration Scheme.

(iii)  To note that this matter will be brought back to Cabinet for any final decisions on any proposals once the consultations have taken place and all representations will be taken into account before any decisions will be made by Cabinet.

(iv)   To note that an application may have to be brought to the Secretary of State prior to implementing any proposed decommissioning programme in compliance with the Housing Act 1985. 

1.  The Southampton Compact Code of Good Practice states that, where appropriate, the council should consult with residents, tenants and stakeholders for a period of 12 weeks.  It is a statutory requirement to hold consultation with tenants who are likely to be substantially affected by matters of housing management.

2.  Townhill Park is a large scale phased regeneration scheme, with phase 1 previously decommissioned.  It is now proposed to commence decommissioning the remainder of the estate to make way for further regeneration phases, and therefore approval is sought to the launch of the required statutory consultations with a view to phase-by-phase decommissioning.

1.  The Council’s Decanting Policy was last revised in 2013. Consideration was given to whether it could continue to be used as it is.  However, it is recommended that the policy requires updating, and that the two elements which were previously covered in a single policy (decommissioning of housing stock and acquisition of leasehold/freehold property) are divided into two separate policies for clarity.

2.  Townhill Park Regeneration scheme has already been approved in principle and has outline planning consent for a comprehensive approach.  The council could choose not to proceed with the remainder of the regeneration, but this is not considered desirable to the renewal and expansion of housing supply in the city.