Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval to the award of the design and build contract for Watling Gardens following additional tenure changes to ensure viability of the development.

Cabinet RESOLVED, having noted the confirmation provided at the meeting that the total number of homes to be converted to Shared Ownership under the proposal was 24 and waiver of call-in obtained relating to the decision on the grounds of urgency, to approve (as amended at the meeting):

(1)     The tenure changes of 24 homes (19 x 1 bedroom homes and 5 x 2 bedroom) from London Affordable Rent to Shared Ownership, subject to the approval of the Local Planning Authority.

(2)     To approve the award of the design and build contract for Watling Gardens to Hill Partnerships Ltd in the sum of £38,535,634, conditional on the approval of the Local Planning Authority to tenure changes and subject to such additional sums to reflect the tenure changes and Planning consent amendment referred to under (1) above, to a limit of £480,000.00 allowed for in the total scheme costs as detailed within Appendix 1 (classified as containing exempt information) of the report.

As Councillor Knight (Cabinet member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security) had given her apologies for the meeting, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) introduced a report seeking approval to the award of a design and build contract for Watling Gardens, following additional tenure changes which had been made to ensure the viability of the development scheme.

In considering the report Cabinet noted the update provided in relation to delivery of the development scheme, which formed part of the New Council Homes Programme.  As a result of an increase in construction costs members were advised there had been a need to review the proposed tenure mix within the development as a means of ensuring the schemes ongoing viability.  This had resulted in the proposed conversion of 19 x 1 bedroom homes and 5 x 2 bedroom homes from London Affordable Rent to Shared Ownership.  Cabinet noted the options appraisal, detailed within section 3.5 of the report, undertaken as the basis for returning the scheme to viability along with the update provided at the meeting that the proposed change in tenure would also be subject to the necessary approval by the Local Planning Authority.

Having noted:

·             the confirmation provided at the meeting that the total number of homes to be converted to Shared Ownership under the proposal was 24;

·             the exempt information contained within appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the report in support of the proposed recommendations; and

·             waiver of call-in obtained relating to the decision on the grounds of urgency;

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve (as amended at the meeting):

(1)       The tenure changes of 24 homes (19 x 1 bedroom homes and 5 x 2 bedroom) from London Affordable Rent to Shared Ownership, subject to the approval of the Local Planning Authority.

(2)       To approve the award of the design and build contract for Watling Gardens to Hill Partnerships Ltd in the sum of £38,535,634, conditional on the approval of the Local Planning Authority to tenure changes and subject to such additional sums to reflect the tenure changes and Planning consent amendment referred to under (1) above, to a limit of £480,000.00 allowed for in the total scheme costs as detailed within Appendix 1 (classified as containing exempt information) of the report.