Issue - meetings

This report seeks Members’ approval to make a Compulsory Purchase Order at a property in Woodheyes Road. Despite numerous efforts, the potential legal owner of this property cannot be traced. It is recommended, therefore, that the council proceed towards compulsory purchase of this property that has been sitting empty for more than 20 years.

(i) that the use of compulsory purchase powers to acquire the property in Woodheyes Road (referred to in Appendix 2 to the report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects) under section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 be approved.

(ii) that the Director of Legal Procurement Services be authorised to make and seal the Order for submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for confirmation.

(iii) that in the absence of a relevant objection to the Order,  the Director of Legal Procurement Services be authorised to confirm the said Compulsory Purchase Order in the event of the Secretary of State returning the Order.

(iv) that upon confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order officers proceed with the acquisition of the property.

(v) that subject to confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order, the disposal of the property at open market value to a Registered Social Landlord in the first instance, or by way of auction with covenants applied to bring the property back into use as soon as possible, be approved.

(vi) that in the event that the proceeds of sale are unclaimed, in accordance with the compensation code within the statutory limitation period, the recycling of any residual receipt from the disposal back to the capital programme budget to secure funding for future private sector housing improvement, be approved.

(vii) that the financial costs of the compulsory purchase order be indemnified through the capital programme.

Councillor McLennan (Lead Member for Housing) introduced a report seeking approval to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) in respect of a property in Woodheyes Road, which had remained vacant for more than 20 years. Despite numerous efforts, the potential legal owner of the property, who was believed to be an Australian citizen and living in Australia, could not be traced. It was considered that empty properties had a significant contribution to make to Brent’s development of a sustainable community and in meeting housing needs. The property was considered to be in an ideal location and of a size suitable for a family in housing need.

The Executive also had before them an appendix to the report which was not for publication as it contained the following category of exempt information as specified in Schedule 12 of the Local Government (Access to Information Act) 1972: 

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED:

(i)      that the use of compulsory purchase powers to acquire the property in Woodheyes Road (referred to in Appendix 2 to the report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects) under section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 be approved.

(ii)     that the Director of Legal Procurement Services be authorised to make and seal the Order for submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for confirmation.

(iii)    that in the absence of a relevant objection to the Order,  the Director of Legal and Procurement be authorised to confirm the said Compulsory Purchase Order in the event of the Secretary of State returning the Order.

(iv)    that upon confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order officers proceed with the acquisition of the property.

(v)     that subject to confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order, the disposal of the property at open market value to a Registered Social Landlord in the first instance, or by way of auction with covenants applied to bring the property back into use as soon as possible, be approved.

(vi)    that in the event that the proceeds of sale are unclaimed, in accordance with the compensation code within the statutory limitation period, the recycling of any residual receipt from the disposal back to the capital programme budget to secure funding for future private sector housing improvement, be approved.

(vii)   that the financial costs of the compulsory purchase order be indemnified through the capital programme.