Issue - meetings

1. Approve the allocation and expenditure of the sum set out in paragraph 2.1 of exempt report CAB3477 of the New Build Unallocated Capital Budget to purchase land and 10 new affordable properties at Land North of Hazeley Road, Twyford.

2. Authorise the Corporate Head of Asset Management to negotiate and agree the terms and conditions for the purchase by WCC of land and subsequent completion and handover of 10 completed homes on that land subject to planning consent being granted.

3. Authorise the Corporate Head of Asset Management in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to enter into a land agreement and a build agreement to acquire land and the 10 homes to then be built on that land from Alfred Homes Ltd. for the purchase price set out in paragraph 2.1 of the exempt report.

4. Authorise the Corporate Head of Asset Management to enter into any planning and/or legal agreements required to purchase the 10 completed homes.

5. Approve an exception to the council’s Contract Procedure Rules in accordance with paragraph 50.1(g) to enable the purchase of the 10 completed homes.

Councillor Westwood introduced the exempt report which set out proposals to purchase land and 10 new affordable homes at Hazeley Road, Twyford.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Horrill and Cook addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Horrill

She supported the provision of new affordable housing outside of the city centre area.  She raised a number of queries regarding the planning application proposed for 10 October, whether the property profile was in line with local housing need data, certainty regarding borrowing rates and the proposed rent level.

Councillor Westwood and the Strategic Director responded to these queries.

Councillor Cook

As a local ward councillor she supported the proposals as there was unmet demand for such homes locally.  She welcomed the collaborative approach adopted by council planning officers and the South Downs National Park Authority during the planning application process and confirmed planning permission had been approved

Following consideration of the report in exempt session, it was agreed that the resolution be re-drafted to enable the majority of the decision to be open as set out below.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out in the report and outlined above.

RESOLVED:

1.             That the allocation and expenditure of the sum set out in paragraph 2.1 of the report of the New Build Unallocated Capital Budget be approved to purchase land and 10 new affordable properties at Land North of Hazeley Road, Twyford.

2.             That the Corporate Head of Asset Management be authorised to negotiate and agree the terms and conditions for the purchase by WCC of land and subsequent completion and handover of 10 completed homes on that land subject to planning consent being granted.

3.             That the Corporate Head of Asset Management in consultation with the Section 151 Officer be authorised, to enter into a land agreement and a build agreement to acquire land and the 10 homes to then be built on that land from Alfred Homes Ltd. for the purchase price set out in paragraph 2.1 of the exempt report.

4.             That the Corporate Head of Asset Management be authorised to enter into any planning and/or legal agreements required to purchase the 10 completed homes.

5.             That an exception to the council’s Contract Procedure Rules in accordance with paragraph 50.1(g) be approved to enable the purchase of the 10 completed homes.