A report from the Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Culture is attached. This should be read in conjunction with Report No.101, agenda part one refers. A further report will be tabled at the meeting under restricted circulation. (Key decision – reference number 3797)
(Report No.104)
(9.25 – 9.35 pm)
Minutes:
Neil Rousell (Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Culture) introduced the report in the absence of Councillor Del Goddard (Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration) (No.104) concerning the development opportunity areas that were located within the boundaries of the Meridian Water Masterplan.
NOTED
1. That Report No.101 also referred as detailed in Minute No.14 above;
2. An amendment sheet which was circulated at the meeting in respect of the part two report (No.104) which provided additional wording to recommendations 2.1 (a), 2.1 (d) and 2.2 as reflected in the decisions below and, updated financial implications in relation to the part 2 report which were noted by Members;
3. That a super part two report was tabled at the meeting under restricted circulation and collected in again following consideration, Report No.104A.
4. Neil Rousell (Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Culture) outlined the detail contained in both the part two and super part two reports for Members’ consideration highlighting the three sites in question together with the development and financial implications set out. The information being sought and the negotiations taking place were detailed. A further report would be considered by Cabinet at the appropriate time.
Alternative Options Considered: NOTED the alternative options which had been considered as set out in full in section 6 of the report.
DECISION: The Cabinet agreed
1. To approve the purchase of the three sites as set out in recommendation 2.1 of the report and described within the report, subject to:
(a) The vendor remediating all three sites at their own expense or sharing the expense with the Council within an agreed financial envelope and providing the Council with all necessary and related warranties;
(b) The vendor providing vacant possession;
(c) The agreement of appropriate terms, with any and all acquisitions being supported by external valuation advice as might be necessary;
(d) Appropriate due diligence – detailed financial analyses had already been commissioned to ensure the project was financially viable, so that the finalisation of the deal was based on as robust information as possible.
2. Subject to decision 1 above, the Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Culture, acting in consultation with the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services, be authorised to take all necessary steps to complete the purchase of all three sites described in the report, as a package or individually, as might be appropriate subject to Cabinet approval.
3. Should the negotiations between the Council and land-owner in question not result in agreement within a reasonable timescale, authorise preparatory work to support the making of either (i) one compulsory purchase order covering all three sites or (ii) individual compulsory purchase orders for each site, as might be appropriate in the circumstances, under Section 226(1) (a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (“the 1990 Act”) (as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004) and Section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 for the acquisition of land and new rights within the areas described within the report and shown on Annexes 1, 2 and 3 of the report. The Council being of the view that the proposed acquisition of the Order Land would:
(a) Facilitate the carrying out of the development/redevelopment or improvement on, or in relation to, the Order Land; and
(b) Contribute to the promotion or improvement of the economic, social and environmental well-being of the Borough.
4. That the Order(s) be named either (i) The Meridian Water (Edmonton) Planning Compulsory Purchase Order or (ii) The Meridian Water (Edmonton) Planning Compulsory Purchase Order No.1, No.2 and No.3 (as appropriate).
5. To instruct the Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Culture, acting in consultation with the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services to submit a further report to Cabinet for a resolution to make any proposed Compulsory Purchase Order.
In relation to the Super Part 2, Report No.104A, the Cabinet agreed
6. To note the findings of the valuation work undertaken to date.
7. To instruct the Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Culture, acting in consultation with the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services to have regard to this advice, and any subsequent consultant advice received, when formulating Heads of Terms and making any offers to the land-owner in question.
Reason: To provide a greater level of certainty over the timescales associated with the development of three early start sites in Meridian Water and their relationship with significant rail and education infrastructure, and to increase developer and stakeholder confidence in the delivery of the Masterplan.
(Key decision – reference number 3797)