A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This seeks in principle approval for the scheme.(Report No.41, agenda part two also refers) (Key decision – reference number 4295)

(Report No.36)

(8.20 – 8.30 pm)

Councillor Dino Lemonides (Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.36) outlining the rationale for the proposed scheme.

NOTED

1.               That Report No.41 also referred as detailed in Minute No.23 below.

2.               That the Centre had been declared surplus to operational requirements and had been disused for operational purposes since April 2015. Several options had been considered for this property, as outlined in the report. However, an options appraisal had suggested that the site should be redeveloped for residential purposes. The report outlined the rationale for the proposed scheme; sought in principle approval for the scheme; and, authority to progress the scheme with detailed feasibility work and the procurement of consultants to undertake such work.

3.               The proposals to regularise the use of the adjacent Parker Centre by Age UK as outlined in section 3 of the report.

4.               The proposal for the Council to directly develop this scheme to maximise its income potential, paragraph 3.14 of the report referred.

5.               That the site was currently used as a polling station during elections and that an alternative polling station site in the area would need to be identified.

Alternative Options Considered: Not trying to redevelop the site was considered a lost opportunity to the Council. Alternative options had been considered; as detailed in the part 2 report (Minute No.23 below refers).  

DECISION: The Cabinet

1.               Provisionally approved the redevelopment of the William Preye Day Centre, 6 Houndsfield Road, Edmonton, N9 for housing, subject to final details being approved by the Cabinet in a subsequent report.

2.               Agreed the addition of the project to the capital programme as detailed in the part 2 report (Minute No.23 below referred) to enable the feasibility and demolition to proceed and noted the revenue cost which could be contained within the existing capital financing budget.

3.               Approved the commencement of the procurement of consultants to prepare plans for the scheme as detailed within the part 2 report (Minute No.23 below referred), and delegated approval for the appointment of consultants to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency and Cabinet Member for Housing and Housing Regeneration in consultation with the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services.

4.               Agreed the procurement of a developer/contractor to take forward a scheme on receipt of planning permission; but the award of a contract to be subject to further Cabinet approval.

5.               Agreed the grant of delegated authority to the Assistant Director – Property Services in conjunction with the Assistant Director – Legal and Governance enter into contracts and approve the demolition of the Centre.

Reason: The existing centre was no longer considered to be fit-for-purpose, had a significant repairing liability, and was surplus to the Council’s requirements. The proposed redevelopment of this site with a residential scheme was considered to be financially viable and feasible in planning terms. The scheme would also generate much needed income for the Council. The relative simplicity of the scheme also presented a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14