Content

RESOLVED: That
Cabinet;

a)   
Approved the proposal to acquire Broadmead Court as
outlined within exempt Appendix A subject to a red book valuation,
satisfactory due diligence having been undertaken and approval by
the S151 Officer of a fully costed business case to develop the
property using either SHAP or Housing Revenue Account
funding.  

b)   
Delegated authority to the Assistant Director of
Assets and Environment in consultation with the S151 Officer, the
Portfolio Holder for Housing, Culture and Leisure and the Portfolio
Holder for Finance to negotiate and acquire Broadmead Court
including completion of the legal requirements.

c)   
Delegated authority to the Director of Communities
and Opportunities to undertake a compliant procurement process and
to enter into construction contracts, and any related
bonds   to develop Broadmead Court
into self-contained flats to accommodate people with immediate
housing and support needs
 
REASONS RESOLVED:

1.   
Broadmead Court will offer the Council an
opportunity to increase the supply of affordable supported housing
for individuals with additional support needs, as identified in the
West Northamptonshire Council Housing Strategy.

2.   
The Council has identified need for an additional 66
units to support the Single Homeless Pathway and has been named as
a target authority for the SHAP, a three year programme to support
single homeless households.  Should the
SHAP bid be unsuccessful Broadmead Court could alternatively be
used to provide temporary accommodation, as required under Part VII
Housing Act 1996. Currently, there are over 600 households placed
into temporary accommodation, only 151 of which are properties
owned by the Council. The acquisition of Broadmead Court would
reduce the reliance on nightly purchase temporary accommodation,
which incurs higher costs than Council owned
accommodation.

3.   
The acquisition of Broadmead Court would provide
positive community impact and help the Council meet its strategic
aims by reducing the number of potential rough sleepers by
increasing the provision of accommodation available through the
single homeless pathway, or by providing more suitable temporary
accommodation to support those who are currently
homeless.
 
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:
Three options have been
considered in terms of the Issues and Choices. The options are
summarised as:-

Option 1 - Acquire
the property with vacant possession upon completion.
Option 2 - Acquire
the Property subject to the occupation of a third-party
provider;
Option 3 – Do
not acquire the property.