Agenda item

     (Copy herewith)

Cabinet:

(a)  Approved the purchase and redevelopment of Riverside House, funded through the Housing Revenue Account at a total cost set out in Exempt Appendix A to the report, in order to provide a total of 60 apartments (16 one-bedroom and 44 two-bedroom) that will be let to eligible households on the Housing Register;

(b)  Approved the use of the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme to complete the purchase and redevelopment of Riverside House;

(c)  Delegated to the Director of Housing and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, the Borough Secretary, Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing – the authority, on being satisfied with the results of the due diligence exercise undertaken by NPH on the Council’s behalf, to purchase and redevelop Riverside House as affordable rented housing.

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

(e)  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 in Riverside House are allocated.

At the Leader’s invitation, Councillor Hibbert introduced the report and emphasised that the purchase and redevelopment of Riverside House for affordable rented housing would bring the building back into use and provide much needed affordable housing. In total, there would be 60 apartments made available, 16 one-bedroom and 44 two-bedroom apartments, in a great town centre location. He explained that Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH) would assist with the scheme, and ensure that disruption was minimised through the change of use. Councillor Hibbert expressed the great working relationship Northampton Borough Council has with NPH and commended the Council and NPH for their great work. He thanked the Councillors for their support and confirmed that more schemes and housing for residents would be brought to Cabinet in the near future.

At the Leader’s request, Mr Daniel Soan, addressed Cabinet and expressed that the purchase and redevelopment of Riverside House would help fulfil the need for more affordable housing and have a positive impact on Northampton and the local economy. He hoped that with the proximity of Riverside House to Northampton General Hospital, priority would be given to NHS key workers when housing is allocated. He asked if there were any electric charging points planned, as well as fibre broadband, which should be delivered for residents.

The Leader then invited Councillors Birch, Stone and B Markham to speak on the item. Councillor Stone expressed her delight to see projects such as Riverside House, and emphasised that affordable housing was much needed. Councillor Birch shared that whilst it was great news to see more housing in the town centre for young people, there was a real need for more 3-4 bedroom homes for families. Councillor B Markham gave his support for bringing the building back into use and bringing people into the town centre. He thanked officers for their hard work and hoped that officers would not lose sight of this, and that the great work would continue into unitary.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(a)  Approved the purchase and redevelopment of Riverside House, funded through the Housing Revenue Account at a total cost set out in Exempt Appendix A to the report, in order to provide a total of 60 apartments (16 one-bedroom and 44 two-bedroom) that will be let to eligible households on the Housing Register;

(b)  Approved the use of the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme to complete the purchase and redevelopment of Riverside House;

(c)  Delegated to the Director of Housing and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, the Borough Secretary, Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing – the authority, on being satisfied with the results of the due diligence exercise undertaken by NPH on the Council’s behalf, to purchase and redevelop Riverside House as affordable rented housing.

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

(e)  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 in Riverside House are allocated.