Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor James Hill.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20^th January 2021 were agreed and signed by the Chair.

There was no intention to hold any of the meeting in private.

There were none.

Councillor Hallam stated that he was a trustee of 78 St George’s Avenue, a neighbouring property to Avenue Campus.

There were no issues arising from Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

     (Copy herewith)

2.1         Cabinet:

a)     Approved, ‘in principle’, the redevelopment of the Avenue Campus site (within the Housing Revenue Account) to provide up to 170 affordable homes, subject to satisfactory due diligence and planning approval of the reserved matters application for 112 homes;

b)     Delegated to the Director of Housing and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, the Borough Secretary, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing and the Cabinet Member for Finance, the authority to approve the new affordable housing scheme, subject to planning approval and due diligence and following the outcome of the Council’s application for funding from Homes England;

c)      Delegated to the Director of Housing and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing, the authority to determine the rent levels and services charges for the new affordable homes; and

d)     Delegated to the Director of Housing and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing and Northampton Partnership Homes, the authority to develop and approve a Local Lettings Policy that determines how the homes are allocated; and

e)     Noted that, if this development and approval of this affordable housing scheme cannot be concluded by 1 April 2021, this work will need to be concluded by the new West Northamptonshire Council through its governance processes and relevant Officers.

Councillor Hibbert as the relevant Cabinet Member presented his report.  The Avenue Campus site had come before Cabinet on two previous occasions; firstly in relation to its purchase and secondly in connection with the use of the Newton Building.  This report related to an agreement in principle to develop the site for affordable housing, subject to planning approval.

Councillor Hadland noted that this was an exciting housing project for Northampton.  Councillor Eldred expressed thanks to all involved in keeping the promise to provide housing for the people of Northampton.

RESOLVED:

2.1         Cabinet:

a)     Approved, ‘in principle’, the redevelopment of the Avenue Campus site (within the Housing Revenue Account) to provide up to 170 affordable homes, subject to satisfactory due diligence and planning approval of the reserved matters application for 112 homes;

b)     Delegated to the Director of Housing and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, the Borough Secretary, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing and the Cabinet Member for Finance, the authority to approve the new affordable housing scheme, subject to planning approval and due diligence and following the outcome of the Council’s application for funding from Homes England;

c)      Delegated to the Director of Housing and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing, the authority to determine the rent levels and services charges for the new affordable homes; and

d)     Delegated to the Director of Housing and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing and Northampton Partnership Homes, the authority to develop and approve a Local Lettings Policy that determines how the homes are allocated; and

e)     Noted that, if this development and approval of this affordable housing scheme cannot be concluded by 1 April 2021, this work will need to be concluded by the new West Northamptonshire Council through its governance processes and relevant Officers.

      (Copy herewith)

2.1      Cabinet delegated authority to the Acting Director of Economy and Assets, in consultation with the Borough Secretary, Chief Finance Officer and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise to appoint and enter into a Contract with the successful contractor for the refurbishment of the lower ground, upper ground and first floor together with essential repairs to the roof, façade and windows following completion of the tender process.

Councillor Hadland as the relevant Cabinet Member introduced the report which outlined an exciting project in the Cultural Quarter.  Funding had been obtained to improve 24 Guildhall Road.  Refurbishment and essential repairs would be undertaken and part of the building would be leased to NN Contemporary Arts.  The recommendation delegated authority for appointing the contractor.

RESOLVED

2.1       Cabinet delegated authority to the Acting Director of Economy and Assets, in consultation with the Borough Secretary, Chief Finance Officer and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise to appoint and enter into a Contract with the successful contractor for the refurbishment of the lower ground, upper ground and first floor together with essential repairs to the roof, façade and windows following completion of the tender process.