Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director for Environment and Neighbourhoods. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

Approval is sought from Cabinet to present to the Secreatry of State the case to CPO 44 Cobham Road N22 and 29 Fairfield Road N8. If the Secretary of State agrees, an Order will be issued, the properties / land will be purchased and then sold on the open market.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report which sought approval from Cabinet to present to the Secretary of State the case to CPO 44 Cobham Road N22 and 29 Fairfield Road N8. If the Secretary of State agrees, an Order would be issued, the properties / land will be purchased and then sold on the open market.

The Leader described the interventions and communications taken forward once long term empty homes was identified and the evidence required to instigate a CPO process. It was clear from the report that the authority had made every effort to work with the owners of the empty homes and had failed to obtain a satisfactory response.

The Leader further commented that taking the CPO action outlined in the report will also prevent damage to adjoining properties and nuisance to the local community that could be caused if they remain empty with no maintenance.

Further to considering exempt information at item 23,

RESOLVED

1.    To authorise the submission of 44 Cobham Road N22 and 29 Fairfield Road N8 to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for a confirmed Order, under Compulsory Purchase powers;

2.    To authorise the Assistant Director of Corporate Governance to:

(a)      Make and seal the Orders for submission to the Secretary of State for consideration and approval (including the service of any requisition notices necessary to establish interests in the property) and to carry out the statutory notification required;

(b)      Confirm the Compulsory Purchase Order in the event of the Secretary of State returning the Order authorising the Council to do so;

(c)      Prepare for, and represent the Council at, any public inquiry held following submission of the Order to the Secretary of State;

(d)      Upon confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order proceed with acquisition of the property;

(e)      In the event that any of the owner(s) undertakes in the form of a legally enforceable cross undertaking to bring the relevant property back into residential occupation and use within a reasonable timescale, to authorise the Head of Legal Services in consultation with the Director of Environment & Neighbourhoods to enter into and enforce such an undertaking instead of proceeding with the CPO for the property in question; and

(f)        Act in relation to any other procedural matters that may arise in the normal course of the CPO process.

3.    To approve (subject to the confirmation of the CPO by the Secretary of State) the disposal of the property to a Registered Provider where possible, or to an individual or private developer, with covenants to bring the property back into use as soon as practicable.

4.    To authorise the costs of the CPO to be met from the capital programme; and

5.    To approve the recycling of the receipt from the disposal back to the capital programme budget for the continued private sector housing CPO programme.

Reasons for decision

44 Cobham Road N22 has been through the CPO procedure and all avenues of informal and formal engagement with the owners  ...  view the full minutes text for item 156