Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Housing Services.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 4 September and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Housing Services was submitted, seeking a declaration that a parcel of Council owned land off St Andrews Road, Exwick, is surplus and to obtain approval for the disposal of the land to Sanctuary Housing Association (SHA), at less than best value, any capital receipt to be ring-fenced to grant aid an affordable housing scheme on the site and to cover the cost of enabling works both on and off site. 

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 4 September 2007 and the support and comments of members were noted.  Executive was assured that consideration would be given to safety around the access, as requested by Councillor Hannaford, and requested that he seek the support of Devon County Council in bringing forward the cycle route and footpath as these were the responsibility of that authority. 

Noting the options available and for the reasons stated in the report, Executive resolved that:-

(1)        the land be declared surplus; 

(2)            delegated powers be granted to the Head of Estates Services, in consultation with the Leader, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Social Inclusion, the Portfolio Holder for Community and Environment, and the Heads of Service for Treasury, Housing, and Contracts and Direct Services, to dispose of the land to Sanctuary Housing Association by way of a 125-year lease, at or below market value for affordable housing, subject to 100% nomination rights being granted to the City Council in perpetuity; and

(3)        any capital receipts be ring-fenced for use in grant aiding affordable housing and for the acquisition of the Environment Agency land,  the Head of Treasury Services to allocate the receipt within the capital programme.

The report of the Head of Housing Services was submitted, seeking a declaration that a parcel of Council owned land off St Andrews Road, Exwick, is surplus and to obtain approval for the disposal of the land to Sanctuary Housing Association (SHA), at less than best value, any capital receipt to be ring-fenced to grant aid an affordable housing scheme on the site and to cover the cost of enabling works both on and off site. 

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 4 September 2007 and the support and comments of members were noted.  Executive was assured that consideration would be given to safety around the access, as requested by Councillor Hannaford, and requested that he seek the support of Devon County Council in bringing forward the cycle route and footpath as these were the responsibility of that authority. 

RESOLVED that:-

(1)        the land be declared surplus; 

(2)            delegated powers be granted to the Head of Estates Services, in consultation with the Leader, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Social Inclusion, the Portfolio Holder for Community and Environment, and the Heads of Service for Treasury, Housing, and Contracts and Direct Services, to dispose of the land to Sanctuary Housing Association by way of a 125-year lease, at or below market value for affordable housing, subject to 100% nomination rights being granted to the City Council in perpetuity; and

(3)        any capital receipts be ring-fenced for use in grant aiding affordable housing and for the acquisition of the Environment Agency land,  the Head of Treasury Services to allocate the receipt within the capital programme.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Housing Services – report circulated. 

Councillor Hannaford attended the meeting and spoke on this item having given notice under Standing Order No. 44.

The Head of Housing Services presented the report seeking a declaration that a parcel of Council owned land off St. Andrews Road, Exwick, as set out in the circulated plan, was surplus and seeking approval for the disposal of the land to Sanctuary Housing Association at less than best value with any capital receipts to be ring fenced to grant aid an affordable housing scheme on the site and to cover the cost of enabling works both on and off the site.

Councillor Hannaford welcomed the proposal but asked that detailed consideration be given to maximising safety around the access onto St. Andrews Road from the site particularly as many of the occupants of this social housing facility would comprise young families with children. Referring to the alternative access onto Station Road he suggested that it would be helpful if the provision of the proposed cycle route could be brought forward and combined with a footpath with adequate lighting also provided.  The Head of Housing Services advised that the details of the access would be fully assessed to maximise safety as part of the consideration of the planning application. He also advised in response to the Member that all 27 properties to be provided as part of the scheme would be included in the Homechoice Scheme.

Scrutiny Committee - Community supported the report and subject to obtaining planning permission to include the satisfactory completion of a Section 106 Agreement and to 100% nomination rights being granted to the City Council in perpetuity, requested Executive to declare the Council owned land off St. Andrews Road, Exwick, as set out in the circulated plan, surplus and to authorise the Head of Estates Services, subject to prior consultation with the Leader, the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Leisure and the Heads of Treasury Services, Housing Services and Contracts and Direct Services to dispose the land at St Andrews Road at or below market value for affordable housing.

 (Report circulated)