Agenda item

This report seeks Cabinet approval to redevelop a site in Morland Gardens, Stonebridge in order to deliver a new education centre, council homes, affordable workspace, a public facing café and public realm improvements.  The report highlights the strong level of community engagement in the design of the scheme along with the high standards of environmental sustainability that the building will achieve.

NOTED the deputation received from by Errol Donald (representing the Morland Gardens Community Steering Group) and additional representations made by Councillor Ezajughi (as ward councillor) in relation to the scheme.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)       Approve the proposal to invest up to £43m to deliver a state of the art adult education centre, 65 new affordable homes, 675 sq metres affordable workspace for start-up businesses from the local community, and a public facing café at 1 Morland Gardens.

(2)       Note that the proposal to invest up to £43m at 1 Morland Gardens includes the cost of the 2 year service decant and encompasses £6.5m of the GLA affordable housing grant.

(3)       Note the risk that if the Stonebridge Primary School Annexe isn’t used for decant, as outlined in paragraphs 3.43-3.47 of the report, it may not be viable to deliver the project in accordance with the delivery timetable at paragraph 3.42 in the report, with there being various risks as detailed in paragraph 3.48 of the report, to include a risk that alternative capacity for classes could not be found, meaning a period of 2 years where Brent Start would have to close a significant portion of its provision. 

(4)       Delegate authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Schools, Employment and Skills, to carry out the consultation process with third parties prior to appropriation and thereafter to consider responses prior to appropriating 1 Morland Gardens.

(5)       Delegate authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment to appropriate 1 Morland Gardens for planning purposes and use its powers under section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to override third party rights.

(6)       Approve the procurement of a delivery partner to deliver the redevelopment of 1 Morland Gardens.

(7)       Delegate authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment to approve the pre-tender considerations for the procurement of the delivery partner and thereafter arrange for Officers to evaluate tenders on the basis of the approved evaluation criteria.

(8)       Delegate authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Schools, Employment and Skills, to award the contract for a developer partner.

Councillor Muhammed Butt welcomed Councillor Ernest Ezeajughi to the meeting. Councillor Ezeajughi, Stonebridge Ward Councillor, stated that he was speaking on behalf of all the Stonebridge Ward Councillors. He thanked the Cabinet Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, Councillor Eleanor Southwood, for addressing initial concerns expressed during the consultation period.

Councillor Muhammed Butt welcomed Errol Donald, Chief Creative Officer, BANG Edutainment Ltd, to the meeting. Mr Donald (representing the Morland Gardens Community Steering Group) spoke in support of the proposals welcoming the collaboration with the Council.

The Cabinet Member for Schools, Employment and Skills, Councillor Amar Agha, then introduced the report seeking approval to redevelop 1 Morland Gardens, Stonebridge, London, NW10 8DY to deliver a new education centre, new council homes, affordable workspace, a public facing café and realm improvements.

RESOLVED that having noted the deputation received from by Errol Donald and additional representations made by the Ward Councillor, Councillor Ezajughi in relation to the scheme, Cabinet:

(1)       Approve the proposal to invest up to £43m to deliver a state of the art adult education centre, 65 new affordable homes, 675sq metres affordable workspace for start-up businesses from the local community and a public facing café at 1 Morland Gardens.

(2)       Note that the proposal to invest up to £43m at 1 Morland Gardens includes, the cost of the 2-year service decant and encompasses £6.5m of the GLA affordable housing grant.

(3)       Note the risk that if the Stonebridge Primary School Annexe isn’t used for decant, as outlined in paragraphs 3.43-3.47 of the report, it may not be viable to deliver the project in accordance with the delivery timetable at paragraph 3.42 in the report, with there being various risks as detailed in paragraph 3.48 of the report, to include a risk that alternative capacity for classes could not be found meaning, a period of 2 years where Brent Start would have to close, a significant portion of its provision. 

(4)       Delegate authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Schools, Employment and Skills, to carry out the consultation process with third parties prior to appropriation and thereafter, to consider responses prior to appropriating 1 Morland Gardens.

(5)       Delegate authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment to appropriate 1 Morland Gardens for planning purposes and use its powers, under section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to override, third party rights.

(6)       Approve the procurement of a delivery partner to deliver the redevelopment of 1 Morland Gardens.

(7)       Delegate authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment to approve the pre-tender considerations for the procurement of the delivery partner and thereafter, arrange for Officers to evaluate tenders on the basis of the approved evaluation criteria.

(8)       Delegate authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Schools, Employment and Skills, to award the contract for a developer partner.

10.         London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee – Governing Agreement Amendment for Electric Vehicle Charging

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Krupa Sheth, introduced the report that informed Cabinet of proposals by London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee (LCTEC) to establish a partnership arrangement and take on the operational management as well as, strategic oversight of a London-wide electric vehicle charging point network, on behalf of London boroughs and the City of London, should this be required.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)      Delegate authority to London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee to exercise the further functions under section 16 of the 2013 London Local Authorities and Transport Act 2013, as set out in the report in paragraph 3.13 and Appendices A and B.

(2)      Cabinet also authorised the Council’s Director of Legal, HR, Audit and Investigations to sign any necessary documents to give effect to the variation of the London Council’s Transport and Environment Committee Governing Agreement, dated 13 December 2001 (as amended).