Issue - meetings

The public is likely to be excluded during any discussion on the confidential Appendix A by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

This item was chaired by Councillor Todd-Jones.

Matter for Decision

To consider the open market disposal of 3 properties; 13 Shelley Row, 20 Beche Road and 2 Grafton Street.

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Housing:

i.             Approved the open market disposal of 3 properties in their current condition (as set out in paragraph 2.1 Option 2) with a view to utilising the resulting capital receipt, along with right to buy receipts to finance new build properties to let as part of the Cambridge Social Rent Programme.  The capital receipt may be used to provide the top up funding required for schemes with existing approval, or could be used to fund new schemes as they are brought forward.         

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Director of Customer and Community Services. The report detailed a summary of the options and considerations for either the improvement or open market disposal of three void properties in accordance with the criteria laid out in the HRA Asset Acquisition & Disposal Policy where due to the current condition of the properties a significant investment was required if the property was to be re-let.

The Committee made the following comments:

i.             These opportunities rarely came forward but a degree of pragmatism was required and acknowledged better quality properties could be delivered.

ii.            It was regrettable to lose these properties because of the areas in which they were located; the retention of these properties would ensure that Cambridge had diverse communities.

iii.           Requested that overage provisions were considered as part of the sale of the properties so that the Council could share in any uplift in the value of the properties following the sale.

The Committee:

Resolved (6 votes to 1 vote) to approve the open market disposal of the 3 void properties.

The Executive Councillor for Housing approved the open market sale of the 3 void properties.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted).

No conflicts were declared by the Executive Councillor.