Purpose

This report seeks Cabinet approval for the
implementation of two capital schemes, the budgets for which have
already been approved: the Temporary Accommodation (TA) Acquisition
Programme and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Acquisition
Programme. It also seeks relevant delegated authorities

Content

Exempt Paragraph 3
Information relating to
financial and business affairs of any particular person (including
the Authority holding that information)
 

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)          
approves the approach as outlined in Option 3 at section 6.1.3 of
report SHAP/099 and delegate authority to the Head of Strategic
Housing, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet
Member for Housing and the Head of Corporate Finance to undertake
all procurement tendering exercises required to appoint
contractors, suppliers, or consultants necessary to deliver works
in accordance with the Procurement Code.
(Generic Delegations 2 & 3 will be used to enact this
recommendation).

b)          
delegates authority to the Leader of the Council, in consultation
with Head of Strategic Housing, the Cabinet Member for Housing,
Head of Corporate Finance and Head of Law and Governance, to
approve the award of contracts following an appropriate procurement
process.

That the Full Council be
recommended to approve a constitutional change to the Financial
Procedure Rules in relation to the purchase of land/property for
housing delivery and temporary accommodation, namely that the
Financial Approval Levels set out in Section J of the Financial and
Budget Procedure Rules be amended to:

i.                  
authorise the Head of Crawley Homes and/or Head of Strategic
Housing in agreement with the Head of Corporate Finance to purchase
land/property for housing delivery (within the limits of the
Housing Revenue Account Budget) and to purchase land/property for
temporary accommodation (within the limits of the Temporary
Accommodation Acquisitions Budget, and

ii.                
include in the ‘condition list’ (**) of Section J the
ability to acquire land/property via those readily available on the
market (including market acquisitions of individual
dwellings).

Reasons for the
Recommendations
 

a)               
Crawley continues to face unprecedented pressures within its
temporary accommodation system, with over 640 households currently
accommodated, including 424 in nightly-paid accommodation and 171
placed out of borough. Nightly-paid costs exceed £200,000 per
week, and this is placing extreme pressure on the General Fund.

b)               
The HRA Acquisition Programme addresses the severe shortage of
larger family homes. More than 230 families are waiting for a
four-bedroom property, yet only 12 such homes became available in
2024. The development pipeline, though delivering 500 new homes by
2028, will include only 22 four-bedroom properties. This mismatch
is causing long waits of up to 10 years and increasing
overcrowding. Delegated authority is essential to enable timely
procurement, acquisition and delivery, ensuring the Council can
respond quickly to market opportunities and avoid unnecessary
delays.

c)               
It is necessary to ensure officers have the relevant delegations
and resources to negotiate and agree acquisition of homes, appoint
the relevant professionals to ensure value for money and legal
compliance, and ensure that the homes are safe and ready for
habitation.