Decision details

Cabinet was advised of an opportunity to purchase a brownfield site located within the District, for the purpose of developing affordable housing.

Members considered the alternative option of declining to approve the purchase as presented.

RESOLVED that

a)    delegated authority be granted to the Director of Housing and Assets, in conjunction with the Corporate Finance Manager (and Section 151 Officer) and the Director of Legal and Governance (and Monitoring Officer), to negotiate and agree the purchase of land and title at Northern View, Sutton in Ashfield;

b)    approval be given for the use of Commuted Capital Sums to fund the purchase of the land in question;

c)    approval be given for the use of Housing Revenue Account reserves to fund the construction of new affordable homes, should the site be purchased;

d)    delegated authority be granted to the Director of Housing and Assets, in conjunction with the Corporate Finance Manager (and Section 151 Officer), to negotiate and formalise final scheme costs, specification and delivery;

e)    delegated authority be granted to the Director of Housing and Assets to procure and appoint a contractor to develop the site;

f)      delegated authority be granted to the Director of Housing and Assets to contract, on behalf of the Council, with Homes England, for the purpose of receiving subsidy to ensure that any developments are viable and fall within a maximum payback period of 40 years.

Reason:

The Corporate Plan sets out the Council’s ambition to ensure there is sufficient good quality, affordable housing for the residents of Ashfield. To achieve this the Council cannot rely solely on developing Council owned land.