Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
The Cabinet will be asked to consider proposals for delivery of a phased programme of estate renewal across the Borough in line with the Council’s housing strategy
Received a report from the Corporate Directors of Customer Services and Finance and Commercial Services on the outline proposals for the implementation of a programme of initial estate renewal across the Gascoigne (East), Goresbrook Village and Leys estates.
The report outlined proposals for the funding of a phased programme of estate renewal which would involve the decanting, buyback of leasehold properties, demolition, master planning and appointment of delivery partners. Also an Estate Renewal Account would be created within the Housing Revenue Account to support the programme, funded from a range of sources.
The Corporate Director of Customer Services confirmed that a detailed report will be presented later this summer on the business case and option appraisal for each of the estates to identify the first phases for activity. This report will also contain the detailed proposals for the funding of the programme, including delivery options for new homes and possible disposal options.
Discussed a number of issues relating to the proposals including:-
The Cabinet Member referred to the plans for consultation with local residents and Ward councillors and the proposed creation of a Member Working Group to develop the detailed estate renewal proposals with officers.
Agreed, to assist the Council in achieving the Community Priorities “Safe”, “Clean”, “Fair and Respectful” and “Healthy” and improvement priorities for housing set out in the Council’s Local Area Agreement, to:
(i) The development of a programme of estate renewal, initially across the three estates Gascoigne Estate (East), Goresbrook Village and the Leys, with detailed business cases and option appraisals being developed to identify first phases for activity and presented to Cabinet later this year;
(ii) The establishment of an Estate Renewal Account within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to help fund the redevelopment of identified estates, with funding options to include:
a. The re-allocation of the £7.1m corporate borrowing support as referred to in Minute 20 above
b. HRA land disposal capital receipts
c. Right-to-Buy receipts
d. External regeneration monies
e. Units in-kind from any arrangements with individual developers which enable the Council to utilise part of the rents to support further borrowing
(iii) The Estate Renewal Account to be administered and held within the HRA and used as directed by the Corporate Directors of Customer Services and Finance and Commercial Services;
(iv) Note that a fundamental review of housing revenue and capital procurement is being undertaken to ensure the most cost effective delivery of the Housing Asset Management Strategy;
(v) The establishment of a Member Working Group, led by the Cabinet Member for Housing, to explore and formulate with officers the detailed business case and option appraisals for the estate renewal programme; and
Authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, to progress arrangements for the serving of Initial Demolition Notices on all secure tenants within the initially identified phases.
Report author: Jeremy Grint
Publication date: 09/07/2010
Date of decision: 06/07/2010
Decided at meeting: 06/07/2010 - Cabinet
Effective from: 15/07/2010
Accompanying Documents: