Issue - meetings

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care is attached. This seeks authority to commence the procurement of a demolition contractor to demolish two or more small housing blocks. (Report No.90, agenda part two also refers) (Key decision – reference number 3184)

(Report No.78)

(8.40 – 8.45 pm)

Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.78) seeking authority to commence the procurement of a demolition contractor to demolish two or more small housing sites.

NOTED

1.                  Report No.90 also referred, as detailed in Minute No.28 below. 

2.                  Some of the properties on these sites had been boarded up for a long time, were unsightly and had attracted much criticism and concern from local residents. 

2.                  The report puts forward proposals for their future, recommending the demolition of two of the blocks and disposal of the hostel accommodation. 

3.                  Capital receipts will be reinvested in affordable housing.

4.                  Option appraisals will be carried out on six former sheltered housing sites and a further report made to Cabinet in March 2012.

5.                  Discussions were taking place at the North London Strategic Alliance (NLSA), looking at ways to develop small sites, adding value and improving disposal by packaging groups of similar properties together.  It was suggested that officers consider linking into the NLSA proposals, when considering disposal options. 

6.                  Concerns were expressed that the sites were properly secured to prevent the risk of squatters. 

7.                  The Councillor Doug Taylor Leader of the Council welcomed the actions taking place.

Alternative Options Considered: To do nothing. This was not considered to be a feasible option because the sites were continuing to cost the Council money to maintain and secure; this expenditure was unsustainable and did not represent value for money. Doing nothing did not help the Council to address the shortage of houses in the Borough and there were opportunity costs to consider.

DECISION: The Cabinet

1.         authorised the demolition of Jasper Close and Tudor Crescent as detailed in paragraph 4.4 of the report;

2.         noted that a competitive procurement process would be undertaken to select a demolition contractor;

3.         noted the intention to seek Cabinet authority to appoint a demolition contractor in March 2012;

4.         authorised the budgetary resources to finance the cost of technical advice to project manage the selection of a demolition contractor;

5.         authorised the implementation of improved site security measures in accordance with paragraph 3.9 of the report;

6.         noted the intention to undertaken an options appraisal on sites 1-6 detailed in the report and to report to Cabinet in March 2012 with the outcome of the options appraisal and a future use strategy for each site.

Reason: The main reasons for seeking to resolve the future of the small housing sites were: the blocks were in a poor condition; the blocks no longer met current building standards; the blocks were costing the Council money to secure; to improve the financial net position to the Council; the blocks were attracting complaints from residents; to provide additional affordable housing properties.

(Key decision – reference number 3184)