Decision details

The Head of Regeneration and Housing submitted an exempt report which provided an update on the Council’s Build! ® programme and proposed next steps.

Resolved

(1)          That the progress to date in the following be noted:

·           Establishing Cherwell District Council as a Registered Provider and developer

·           Establishing Cherwell Community Land Trust as an Industrial and Provident Society

·           Assembling challenging brownfield sites

·           Securing substantial Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) grant funding

·           Developing a robust model for the delivery of self-build housing schemes

·           Raising Cherwell’s profile locally and nationally as an innovative and proactive local authority

(2)          That the fact that Build! ® works best as ‘as a programme’ with cross-subsidy within the programme and not as individual sites be noted.

(3)          That the creation of a Council Build! ® Project board (with members appointed by the Leader and officer representation) to oversee the delivery of Build! ® and which would  report into the Place Programme Board be approved.

(4)          That the following be noted:

a) Detailed due diligence was being undertaken on a proposed model for delivery and final ownership of the Build! ® Schemes and the Council’s wider development function going forward. 

b) A report would be brought to the March Executive setting out this proposed model

(5)          That increased delegated authority to the Procurement Steering Group, in consultation with the Head of Regeneration and Housing and the Lead Member for Financial Management to award contracts up to the value of £1.5m for the Build! ® programme be approved to enable delivery on schedule.

Reasons

This report updates the Executive on the progress to date in establishing the Build! ® programme and ‘sets the scene’ for the way forward.

The creation of an internal member and officer Build! ® Project board to oversee the delivery of Build! ® and report into the Place Programme Board is considered best practice and important for accountability

Alternative Options

Option 1: To do nothing. This is rejected for the following reasons:

·           The Council would own a number of undeveloped sites which would cause maintenance liabilities, additional costs and have a negative impact on reputation with local residents

·           The Council would be reneging on its contractual commitment to the HCA and in turn lose funding and credibility

·           The HCA would not give a grant as it is only eligible for schemes which deliver housing

·           The Council would not optimise the social and financial return on its investment.

·           The Council would lose its opportunity to further build its reputation within Government and Industry as a leader in this field.