Decision details

The report will provide introductions or updates on a number of housing development projects across Eastbourne that the Borough Council is proposing to develop.

(Key decision):

(1) To note the progress of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme for housing delivery.

(2) To authorise the development of the garage sites at Brede Close and Timberley Road, as well as the site at Fort Lane, for new homes and to allocate a budget within the capacity of the approved HRA Capital Programme, with reference to the delegations in recommendation 6.

(3) To approve a waiver under paragraph 2.4.1(a) of the Contract Procedural Rules (CPR) to allow the direct negotiation with, and appointment of, a main contractor for the development at Brede Close, which has an estimated contract value below £4,733,252.

(4) To authorise (a) the transfer for a nominal consideration of the garage site at Biddenden Close to the Eastbourne Community Land Trust (ECLT), and (b) where for any reason the transfer referred to in recommendation 4(a) above does not proceed, the development by Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) of such property for new homes and to allocate a budget within the approved HRA Capital Programme.

(5) To authorise commencement of the project to develop the site known as Cavalry Crescent up to the planning stage, subject to further Cabinet approval on the appointment of a contractor and the commencement of any works.

(6) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Chief Finance Officer, to carry out all necessary actions to facilitate the proposals outlined at Recommendations 2), 3), 4) and 5) including feasibility, development and determining the terms of, and authorising the signature of, all necessary documentation and to sub-delegate those actions as required. Also to authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning to take all necessary actions including determining the terms of, and authorising the signature of, all necessary documentation to let the homes to new tenants and dispose on shared ownership terms as required

(7) To approve an increase to the feasibility revenue budget of £250,000, approved in July 2018, up to a total amount of £350,000 to enable the development of a new housing delivery project pipeline as part of the HRA Capital Programme and to delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning to approve all expenditure, to be sub-delegated as required.

(8) To note that EBC proposes to procure a single provider framework for a contractor offering an off-site manufactured house building solution, through an advertised open competition. Further details to follow.