Issue - meetings

Councillor Pounds left the meeting before the start of this item and Councillor Robertson as Vice-Chair (Councillor) chaired the rest of the meeting.

Matter for Decision

The report sought approval for a capital budget to purchase thirty-two affordable units at Eddeva Park, Worts’ Causeway from This Land for rent as Council homes.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness

      i.         Approved the purchase of 32 new Council homes at the Eddeva Park, Worts’ Causeway and delegate Authority to the Assistant Director of Asset and Property to approve contract terms with This LandTM in respect of this transaction.

    ii.         Delegated authority to the Assistant Director to vary rental tenures in line with Council Policy and planning consents for the Eddeva Park Affordable Housing.

   iii.         Approved a total budget of £8,021,000.00 to enable the development of 32 homes at the Eddeva Park, Worts’ Causeway, with this budget bid subject to approval in the forthcoming November 2023 Mid Term Financial Strategy.

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 Development (Places Group).

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

i.    Community provision which arose as a result of planning permission granted on the site did not form part of this report. The Newbury Farm purchase by the Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) included community provision within the section 106 agreement. This could be provided on-site or off-site.

ii.  Negotiations were underway to purchase the affordable housing units from This Land. Some issues had been raised regarding road access which needed to be resolved. There would also need to be a Deed of Variation to the s106 agreement to change the affordable units from shared ownership to affordable rent. 

iii. Parking design / ratios was something that officers were looking at. Felt the site was quite well served by public transport and cycling routes. The amount of community provision and commercial provision would have been based on Planning requirements.

iv.Noted concerns expressed by Councillors regarding community facility provision.  

The Committee resolved by 5 votes in favour to 0 against and 3 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.