Issue - meetings

Report of the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet, after considering the information within the exempt appendices:

1. Approved the appointment of Contractor A, identified in the exempt section of the report, to undertake the demolition of Whitehall Lodge and 2–32 Whitehall Street and to deliver 61 new Council homes at High Road West Phase 1A, for the contract value and contingency amount set out in the exempt report.
   
   
2. Approved the appropriation of Council-owned land within the Phase 1A site, comprising both General Fund and Housing Revenue Account land, for planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972. The appropriation was to take place following demolition of the existing buildings on the site.
   
   
3. Agreed that the appropriation for planning purposes was temporary and necessary to enable demolition, site preparation and construction works required for the development.
   
   
4. Approved the use of the Council’s powers under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, following appropriation of the land, to override easements and other third-party rights or interests that could impede the development of the Phase 1A site.
   
   
5. Approved the subsequent appropriation of the Phase 1A site for housing purposes under Section 19 of the Housing Act 1985 following practical completion of the new-build development.
   
   
6. Delegated authority to the Director of Capital Projects and Property, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources, the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Monitoring Officer, to:
   • implement the appropriations referred to in the report and determine their timing;
   • take all necessary steps to enable reliance on Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016; and
   • agree the terms of, and authorise payment of, any compensation required as a result of exercising those powers.
     
     
7. Delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Housing to approve extensions to the construction and consultancy contracts up to the maximum value set out in the exempt section, subject to approval through the Housing Delivery contingency process.
   
   
8. Approved the total scheme cost for Phase 1A as set out in the exempt report.
   
   
9. Approved the issue of a letter of intent for up to 10% of the contract value specified in the exempt report.
   
   
10. Approved implementation of the Love Lane Estate Management Plan and the associated budget set out in the exempt report. The plan included provision for future decommissioning and demolition, site security and investment in blocks scheduled for later phases of redevelopment.
    
    
11. Approved the commencement of procurement exercises under Contract Standing Order 2.01(b) for site security, decommissioning and demolition works relating to the Ermine, Charles and Moselle blocks once residents had been rehoused and the blocks vacated.
    
    
12. Delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Housing, through a Cabinet Signing process, to approve the award of contracts for site security, decommissioning and demolition of the Ermine, Charles and Moselle blocks where contract values exceeded £500,000.
    
    
13. Agreed a total budget of £1.1 million for delivery of the Love Lane Estate Management Plan.
    
    
14. Delegated authority to the Director of Placemaking and Community Development to submit funding applications  ...  view the full decision text for item 12

The Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the report.

Haringey required additional council housing to help meet local housing need.

The borough continued to experience significant housing pressures, including high private rental costs, increasing demand for housing assistance and a risk of homelessness for some residents.

The development at High Road West would deliver 61 new Council homes, providing additional affordable housing and supporting the rehousing of Love Lane Estate residents.

The Council also sought to maximise the use of existing housing stock by bringing empty properties back into occupation wherever possible, including for households experiencing homelessness.

The new homes were intended to provide accommodation that met residents' needs, including appropriate space standards and, where required, suitable adaptations.

The development formed part of the longer-term regeneration of the Love Lane Estate. Existing vacant and derelict buildings would be demolished and replaced with new homes. The programme also included ongoing investment in estate management during the transition and redevelopment period.

The Council stated that residents would remain central to the redevelopment process. Measures would be put in place to maintain safety during the works and to create temporary community spaces where appropriate. Existing Love Lane tenants would retain the right to return and would be given the first opportunity to move into newly completed homes.

The administration confirmed its commitment to delivering Council homes at Council rent levels and viewed the scheme as an important step in increasing the supply of affordable housing and progressing the redevelopment of the Love Lane Estate.

Following questions from Councillors Joseph, Blake, Cawley-Harrison, Johnson and Ali the following information was shared:

• It was noted that the Council had announced plans to purchase around 500 homes to house residents on the estate.
  
  
• It was stressed that there was a need to reach out to the community to take their views into account. There was work underway by officers to understand the need of residents. It was explained that the Council would be working with the housing team to help residents through the process of the development of the estate.
  
  
• It was explained that there was an opportunity to utilise temporary spaces for community use.
  
  
• It was highlighted that the administration believed the best way to deliver homes was through the development of Council housing. It was stressed that speculative housing development was not a priority for the administration. The Cabinet Member stressed that the administration supported Council house building at affordable rents.
  
  
• The Cabinet Member explained that the management plan highlighted a more strategic method of spending to ensure viability. It was stressed that there would be work to ensure financial sustainability with developers.
  
  
• The Cabinet Member explained that the Estate Management Plan had been developed to help support residents, and included safety and compliance inspections, cleaning, security and other measures to ensure that the residents were supported. It was stressed that the Estate Management Plan would be flexible to meet the need of residents.
  
  

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet, after considering the information within the exempt appendices:

1. Approved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12