Decision details

The Head of Regeneration and Housing submitted an exempt report to advise members of the need to amend the previously adopted delivery strategy relating to self-builder inputs completing specific building tasks for projects approved under the Build! programme but particularly in respect of Coach House Mews and Lincoln Close.

The report also confirmed the financial impacts of approving the revised delivery strategy and commitment from self-builders for those identified schemes under the Build! Programme and advised members of the opportunity to amend the tenure mix associated with the Coach House Mews site redefining 12 affordable rented flats as 12 share ownership properties.

Resolved

(1)          That the proposed changes in respect of the commitments required from self-builders for 2 of the schemes within the Build! Programme be noted and approved.

(2)          That the financial implications identified within the exempt report (exempt annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) associated with adopting the revised self-builder delivery strategy on these 2 schemes be noted and endorsed and Full Council be recommended to agree the necessary amendment to the approved Capital Programme.

(3)          That the opportunity to complete a tenure change in respect of 12 flats at Coach House Mews from affordable rent products to shared ownership products for the reasons indicated within the exempt report (exempt annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted and approved and it be further noted that the final decision of Executive in this respect would be confirmed to the Cherwell Community Build shadow board.

Reasons

It is clear that the original concept of involving self-builders to complete the construction of properties from shell stage has proved very challenging. Indeed even allowing for the training process adopted many self-builders have struggled to complete their originally envisaged commitment to the project.

Additional matters relating to liability especially (Health and Safety matters) as we now move into the construction of flats for self-builders, has meant that a review of how self-builder inputs are proposed, planned and managed needed to be undertaken. It is clear that the revised approach based on a time commitment rather than specific task based inputs from self-builders allows for greater flexibility reduces liability and matches skills in the correct way to ensure less delay and challenge to the contractor in terms of delivering a completed site.

Whilst this will mean particularly in relation to Coach House Mews and Lincoln Close initial additional expenditure we will end up with completed units more quickly and when combined with tenure adjustment proposals would increase the overall return to the Build! Programme.

Going forward, the time based approach for self-builder inputs will significantly improve the overall output of units under the revised scheme.

Alternative options

Officers have looked carefully at continuing with the current status quo regarding self-builder inputs but have concluded that the liabilities (particularly in relation to Health and Safety), risks and challenges associated with this option are not acceptable for Coach House Mews and Lincoln Close.

Further discussions with contractors involved in promoting and indeed delivering self-build options have resulted in Officers concluding that the time commitment approach allows a better practical environment to match the core objectives of self-builder aspirations to be maintained but within an environment that better fits the skills of self-builders the Councils objectives of self-build and the delivery of projects on time and within budget. The principles of providing discount on properties based on the number of hours each self-builder has actually completed will still allow a maximum discount of £10,000.00.

The application of the tenure adjustments identified within the report to the Coach House Mews scheme involving some 12 flats improves the overall rate of return to the Build! Programme and represents an improved business plan proposition to the Cherwell Community Build.