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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
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.
