Issue - meetings

Officer: Jacqueline Harris Baker

Key decision: yes

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

RESOLVED: To

1.    Approve the pipeline sites listed in Appendix A of the report to be disposed of to Brick by Brick Croydon Ltd (BBB) subject to terms and conditions being agreed to the satisfaction of the Executive Director (Resources) and the Director of Finance and s151 Officer acting in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Homes and Gateway Services and Finance and Resources and the scope of this delegation includes the decision as to whether the disposal of land is by freehold or by way of a long lease in line with the indicative terms set out in sections 3.5 to 3.7 of the report;

2.    Approve that the Council lend Brick by Brick Croydon Ltd funding to progress the development of the sites and that such funding will include funding for professional services, construction costs, acquisition of third party sites and working capital and that the Executive Director (Resources) and the Director of Finance and s151 Officer be given delegated authority to finalise and agree the terms of such lending acting in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources;

3.    Approve that where it is considered necessary by Officers  and subject to consideration of any objections received by third parties, that the sites listed in Appendix A of the report will be appropriated for planning purposes pursuant to the Council’s powers under s122 of the Local Government Act 1972 and/or s233 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or such other statutory powers as may be relevant and that the Executive Director (Resources) be given delegated authority to finalise and agree the terms of such appropriation acting in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources; and

4.    Note the governance and monitoring process set out in the report.

The Leader of the Council stated that it was important to remember that housing was a basic human right and that over 100 young people in the borough were sleeping in temporary accommodation every night.

The Cabinet Member for Homes & Gateway Services stated the council was looking to deliver homes of all tenures across the borough, and provided Members with an overview of the housing which was being delivered by Brick by Brick across the borough. It was noted that residents had been supportive of schemes in various parts of the borough and that the developments were also enabling further improvements to the local areas, such as new libraries, community facilities and improvement work to local council buildings to ensure they were fit for the future.

Members were informed that the report looked at how Brick by Brick could be taken further with new sites identified, with a specific emphasis on providing housing for care leavers and older generations who sought to downsize. However, it was noted that Brick by Brick was not the only option being utilised by the council to deliver housing in the borough as community led housing had been launched, and the council had brought unused properties back into use also.

It was noted that many of the proposed sites listed in the report were very small and under government legislation would not be required to deliver any affordable housing. The Cabinet Member, however, stated that by Brick by Brick developing the sites it was possible to ensure significant affordable housing was to be delivered.

The Cabinet Member further stated that no detailed plans had been drawn up for the sites listed, and it was important to note that Brick by Brick would work with and consult the local communities ahead of seeking planning permission.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources informed Members that all the benefits from the developing the sites would remain with the council. Best value from the land was being sought when the land was sold to Brick by Brick; however the Cabinet Member further noted that capital receipts would be received from Brick by Brick also.

In response to Member questions the Cabinet Member for Homes & Gateway Services confirmed that consultation with residents would take place ahead of planning permission being sought, and that the transfer of land was subject to planning permission being granted.

It was recognised that a proposed site listed in the report included green space on the Monks Hill estate, and following some Members suggestions that the green space was highly valued by residents and that there was an alternative site for development at the edge of the estate, the Cabinet Member confirmed she would be happy to speak to local residents regarding alternative options.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, in response to Members questions, confirmed that best consideration was being fulfilled and that auditors had reviewed the previous transfer of land and a report would be produced which outlined that the council had fulfilled all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49