Issue - meetings

This item was chaired by Councillor Sheil.

 

Matter for Decision

At Housing Scrutiny Committee on 23rd September 2021 it was noted that the programme of review of estates would be carried forward including survey work and consultation with residents to include Hanover and Princess Courts and Kingsway Flats.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

      i.         Noted the progress made to date towards identifying the most favourable improvement route for the Hanover and Princess Courts and Kingsway flats and the outcome of the initial consultation exercises.

    ii.         Approved commencement of a consultation process for Hanover and Princess Court residents including redevelopment and refurbishment options.

   iii.         Approved a decant process with immediate effect in advance of a decision on the future of Hanover and Princess Courts including deviation from the Lettings Policy position that those decanting are given emergency housing status when the required vacant possession date is within 12 months.

  iv.         Delegated authority to the Head of Housing to amend the Local Lettings Plans for the Mill Road and Cromwell Road developments to allow for direct lets for residents interested in moving from Hanover and Princess Courts.

    v.         Approved with immediate effect the purchase of the leasehold interest of flats in Hanover and Princess Courts and the issue of Home Loss and Disturbance payments to qualifying Council tenants and Basic Loss and Disturbance payments to qualifying leaseholders affected by the potential redevelopment

  vi.         Approved the development of a project plan for appraisal work on Hanover and Princess Courts and a management plan for Kingsway including the development of plans for communication and engagement with residents and owners and associated parties.

 vii.         Noted the required adjustments to the HRA Business Plan, adjustments to the works budgets and recognition of the phased rent loss that would be anticipated due to vacating fats at Hanover and Princess Courts.

viii.         Approved the amendment to the Lettings Policy detailed at 6.13 and Appendix C of the officer’s report.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of the Housing Development Agency.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

        i.       Asked how many units were proposed to be provided if the development went ahead. 

      ii.        Asked if the refurbishment option was chosen whether the scale of the refurbishment would require tenants to decant in any event.

    iii.        Thanked Officers for the work carried out as part of the consultation and welcomed officer’s comments about trying to maintain tenant’s community links.

    iv.       Wanted residents to be reassured that a full and thorough consultation would be undertaken.

      v.       Noted that a working group had been set up between key officers in the Housing Development Agency and the Vice Chair Tenant Representative and the Leaseholder representative and they were meeting almost fortnightly to ensure that there was the best consultation carried out.

    vi.       Asked if information about the consultation could be included in the residents ‘Open Door’ magazine. 

 

The Head of Housing Development Agency said the following in response to Members’ questions:

        i.       The options appraisal work would look at how many units could be provided on site if the development went ahead.

      ii.        A significant level of refurbishment meant it was highly likely that residents would have to move out. However, this would be looked at as part of the options appraisal work.

    iii.        Work would continue with the consultation working group to discuss next steps in the process.

    iv.       Would include information about the proposals and consultation in the ‘Open Door’ residents magazine.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

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

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.