Issue - meetings

This item was chaired by Councillor Pounds (Chair).

Matter for Decision

The report brought forward an update on the Options Appraisal work at Ekin Road estate.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness

      i.         Noted the completion of Stage 1 of the options appraisal for Ekin Road.

    ii.         Noted the proposals for further consultation with residents in the course of Stage 2.

   iii.         Approved the progress to Stage 2 of the options appraisal on the basis of the criteria and the options set out in the Stage 1 report.

  iv.         Approved that a revenue budget of £300,000 be identified to support this further Stage 2 options appraisal work.

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 Assistant Director of Development.

The Assistant Director Development (Places Group) said the following in response to Members’ questions:

i.    The retrofit option was not an easy option as it would depend what works were being carried out as to whether residents would need to move out of their property for a period of time.

ii.  A decision also needed to be taken regarding what standard of retrofit would be considered.

iii. The budget set aside in recommendation 4 may or may not be spent. Sufficient budget needed to be set aside so that each option could be taken forward and funded.

iv.It was possible that if a decision was taken to redevelop Ekin Road, residents may be able to be rehoused at East Barnwell, if that redevelopment went ahead on time. This was dependent on a number of factors including planning approval.

v.  Noted that the City wanted to achieve ‘net zero’ and a balance needed to be struck between operational carbon and embodied carbon. 

The Committee resolved by 6 votes to 0 with 2 abstentions to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

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

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.