8 Tilgate Youth Centre Redevelopment - Approval of Scheme Budget and Authority to Appoint a Contractor
Housing Portfolio
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To consider report CH/209 of the Head of Crawley Homes, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission on 30 September 2024.
Additional documents:
Decision:
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RESOLVED
That the Cabinet:
a) delegates authority to the Head of Crawley Homes and the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, for the appointment of a building contractor at the Tilgate Youth Centre site, using a suitable building contract following an appropriate procurement process, subject to planning permission being granted.
(Generic Delegation 3 will be used to enact this recommendation).
b) delegates the negotiation, approval and completion of all relevant documentation, including legal paperwork, to the Head of Crawley Homes, in consultation with the Head of Governance, People and Performance and the Head of Corporate Finance.
(Generic Delegations 2 & 3 will be used to enact this recommendation).
That Full Council be recommended to approve the proposed scheme’s budget - stated under sections 6.7 and 6.12 within the report, which includes approving the appropriation of land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account at a value of £175,000 (as identified in 7.5) - for the delivery of six affordable residential units (flats) at the Tilgate Youth Centre site, Shackleton Road
Reasons for Recommendations
a. With its obligation to satisfy housing demand in the borough, and its statutory duty towards its residents that are in housing need - who cannot afford to buy or rent on the private market, the Council is required to pursue the development of new affordable housing in order to meet this demand.
b. Despite the constraints which accompany the site, it is considered to be highly suitable for low-density residential development within a well-established neighbourhood setting.
c. If developed, the site would also become home to the Council’s third ‘own build’, fully certified Passivhaus scheme – joining the likes of previously delivered schemes at Gales Place, Three Bridges, and Dobbins Place, Ifield West, whilst maintaining the Council’s drive to reach (carbon emissions) net zero by 2040.
d. In addition to the above, the introduction of further homes designed and built to Passivhaus standards will help drive up energy efficiency, while significantly lowering energy bills for occupants – many of whom may have experienced fuel poverty during previous tenancies.
Minutes:
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Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)
The Cabinet Member for Housing presented report CH/209 of the Head of Crawley Homes. The report sought Cabinet approval of a scheme budget for the site's redevelopment, and authority to enter into a contract for the construction of 6no. dwellings. He also highlighted a proposed technical revision to recommendation 2.2c as detailed in report CH/209a of the Head of Crawley Homes.
Councillor Ayling presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 30 September 2024, which included:
· Noted that Full Council approval would also be sought for the transfer of land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account and approval for the proposed scheme budget.
· Recognition that the proposal for new affordable housing would assist in increasing the housing stock in the Borough, and could contribute towards addressing Crawley’s housing needs.
· Acknowledgement that parking considerations were a challenge, but consultation had previously taken place and the scheme was still subject to Planning permission.
· Noted that the scheme was to be built to “passive house” standards for energy efficiency.
Councillor Crow was invited to speak on the item, commenting that he felt that the Commission’s comments did not fully reflect the discussion, especially in terms of the consultation and over the mix of potential tenants.
Councillors Nawaz, Noyce and Jones spoke in support during the discussion on the report. Clarification on a number of questions raised during the debate was also provided by the Head of Crawley Homes and the Chief Executive.
RESOLVED
That the Cabinet:
a) delegates authority to the Head of Crawley Homes and the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, for the appointment of a building contractor at the Tilgate Youth Centre site, using a suitable building contract following an appropriate procurement process, subject to planning permission being granted.
(Generic Delegation 3 will be used to enact this recommendation).
b) delegates the negotiation, approval and completion of all relevant documentation, including legal paperwork, to the Head of Crawley Homes, in consultation with the Head of Governance, People and Performance and the Head of Corporate Finance
(Generic Delegations 2 & 3 will be used to enact this recommendation).
That Full Council be recommended to approve the proposed scheme’s budget - stated under sections 6.7 and 6.12 within the report, which includes approving the appropriation of land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account at a value of £175,000 (as identified in 7.5) - for the delivery of six affordable residential units (flats) at the Tilgate Youth Centre site, Shackleton Road
Reasons for Recommendations
a) With its obligation to satisfy housing demand in the borough, and its statutory duty towards its residents that are in housing need - who cannot afford to buy or rent on the private market, the Council is required to pursue the development of new affordable housing in ... view the full minutes text for item 8
9 Tilgate Youth Centre Redevelopment - Approval of Scheme Budget and Authority to Appoint a Contractor
Exempt Paragraph 3
Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)
To consider report CH/209 of the Head of Crawley Homes.
Minutes:
Exempt Paragraph 3
Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)
The Commission considered report CH/209 of the Head of Crawley Homes. Cabinet approval was sought for a scheme budget for the site's redevelopment, and authority to enter into a contract for the construction of 6no. dwellings.
During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Head of Crawley Homes and the Built Environment Team - Senior Project Manager, Councillors made the following comments:
· Noted that Full Council approval would also be sought for the appropriation of land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account together with agreeing the proposed scheme budget.
· Recognition that the proposal for new affordable housing would assist in expanding the housing stock in the borough, which had potential to contribute towards addressing Crawley’s housing needs
· Information was provided on the financial elements, unit mix, other options considered, and the detailed analysis documented within the report as concerns were raised with reference to specific costs.
· Acknowledgement that parking considerations were a challenge but consultation had previously taken place and the scheme was still subject to Planning permission.
· Recognition that the scheme was to be built to Passivhaus standards for energy efficiency, which would significantly benefit occupants.
· Noted that the scheme provided a strategic learning opportunity for a small scale development.
RESOLVED
That the Commission noted the report and requested that the views expressed during the debate, were fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet.