Agenda item

Report of Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Zoe Nicholson

(This report contains an exempt appendix. Any discussion of this must take place at item 17 following exclusion of the public.)

(Key decision):

(1) To note the progress of the housing development and delivery programme as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2) To approve the purchase and development of land and assets at Peacehaven Golf and Fitness to deliver new Council homes in accordance at Appendix 2 (Exempt) to the report including making an allocation within the HRA Capital Programme 2023/24 of up to £3.1m, subject to contract, valuation, and full due diligence.

(3) To approve a waiver to the Council’s Contract Procedural Rules (CPR) to allow the direct selection of the contractor(s) associated with the Peacehaven Golf & Fitness proposals for the reasons as set out in the report.

(4) To approve and implement a new Revolving Loan Fund within the capacity of the existing General Fund Capital Programme 2023/24 to support further sustainable community-led housing developments within the district.

(5) To approve the criteria for HRA rationalisation as set out and to dispose of assets in order to further the capacity of the Capital Programme to deliver more Council homes across the district.

(6) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Chief Finance (S151) Officer and Lead Member for Finance, Assets and Community Wealth Building, to progress recommendations 2, 3, and 4 in this report and to conclude them including the approval and implementation of all processes and procedures, negotiation and agreement of terms, award of contract(s), and authorising the execution of all related

documentation.

(7) To authorise the Director of Service Delivery, in consultation with the Chief Finance (S151) Officer, Lead Member for Finance, Assets and Community Wealth Building, Lead Member for Tenants and those in Housing Need, and the Tenants of Lewes District (TOLD) to progress recommendation 5 to dispose of identified HRA assets including negotiation and agreement of terms and authorising the execution of all related documentation, subject to any or all of the agreed criteria as follows:

•          The cost of any repair work is prohibitive compared to the market value of the property

•          The cost of running the property is unaffordable being of sub-standard quality / efficiency

•          The sales receipt generated is capable of delivering an overall net gain in new homes

•          The capital receipt generated from the sale is ring-fenced to support the HRA Capital Programme.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning, providing an update on the housing development and delivery programme across Lewes District.

Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC), held on 11 July 2023 considered the report and were supportive of the officer recommendation in full.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To note the progress of the housing development and delivery programme as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2) To approve the purchase and development of land and assets at Peacehaven Golf and Fitness to deliver new Council homes in accordance at Appendix 2 (Exempt) to the report including making an allocation within the HRA Capital Programme 2023/24 of up to £3.1m, subject to contract, valuation, and full due diligence.

(3) To approve a waiver to the Council’s Contract Procedural Rules (CPR) to allow the direct selection of the contractor(s) associated with the Peacehaven Golf & Fitness proposals for the reasons as set out in the report.

(4) To approve and implement a new Revolving Loan Fund within the capacity of the existing General Fund Capital Programme 2023/24 to support further sustainable community-led housing developments within the district.

(5) To approve the criteria for HRA rationalisation as set out and to dispose of assets in order to further the capacity of the Capital Programme to deliver more Council homes across the district.

(6) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Chief Finance (S151) Officer and Lead Member for Finance, Assets and Community Wealth Building, to progress recommendations 2, 3, and 4 in this report and to conclude them including the approval and implementation of all processes and procedures, negotiation and agreement of terms, award of contract(s), and authorising the execution of all related

documentation.

(7) To authorise the Director of Service Delivery, in consultation with the Chief Finance (S151) Officer, Lead Member for Finance, Assets and Community Wealth Building, Lead Member for Tenants and those in Housing Need, and the Tenants of Lewes District (TOLD) to progress recommendation 5 to dispose of identified HRA assets including negotiation and agreement of terms and authorising the execution of all related documentation, subject to any or all of the agreed criteria as follows:

•          The cost of any repair work is prohibitive compared to the market value of the property

•          The cost of running the property is unaffordable being of sub-standard quality / efficiency

•          The sales receipt generated is capable of delivering an overall net gain in new homes

•          The capital receipt generated from the sale is ring-fenced to support the HRA Capital Programme.

Reasons for decisions:

(1) To provide Cabinet with an update on the growing housing development and delivery programme, specifically in the context of the ‘Reimagining Lewes District’ Corporate Plan 2020-2024.

(2) To further community-led housing development opportunities within the district underpinned by a secure financial instrument.

(3) To support HRA finances in the context of current pressures and further the Council’s objectives to build and maintain quality, affordable, and sustainable homes.

Notes: (1) Appendix 2 remained exempt. (2) Exempt information reason 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).