Issue - meetings

1.      That, in addition to the approval to acquire properties set out in CAB3216, that approval be given to allow the substitution of alternative properties, subject to consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management, that any alternative properties meet the Council’s viability tests and that the overall value of purchases by the end of March 2020 does not exceed the £3m allocated for this purpose.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Service Lead Legal to negotiate, prepare documentation and complete the necessary transactions in accordance within the agreed Heads of Terms for the purchase of the properties identified in CAB3216 and for any substituted properties.

Councillor Learney introduced the report which provided an update on proposals agreed in report CAB3216. 

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Horrill and Michael Fawcitt (TACT) addressed the meeting as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Horrill

Supported the recommendations but queried the reasons for the current situation and also the lack of comments from TACT.

Michael Fawcitt

Confirmed that officers had briefed TACT on the proposals.  Requested that future Housing Revenue Account reports include information regarding new acquisitions in that year.

Councillor Learney and the Strategic Director: Services (Interim) responded to comments made.

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

RESOLVED:

1.            That, in addition to the approval to acquire properties set out in CAB3216, that approval be given to allow the substitution of alternative properties, subject to consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management, that any alternative properties meet the Council’s viability tests and that the overall value of purchases by the end of March 2020 does not exceed the £3m allocated for this purpose.

2.            That authority be delegated to the Service Lead Legal to negotiate, prepare documentation and complete the necessary transactions in accordance within the agreed Heads of Terms for the purchase of the properties identified in CAB3216 and for any substituted properties.