Ian Duke

Additional Housing Officer: British Citizenship applications from the British Overseas Territories

From: Constitution - Tuesday, 13th January, 2026 - January 13, 2026

On Friday 5 May 2023, the Chief Executive, after consulting with the Mayor, decided that this decision was urgent and could not wait until the next Full Council meeting to approve funds. This is with regard to requiring urgent funds to employ extra Housing Officers, who are needed so the Council can support and handle the extra demands that will be placed on the team, following the processing of British Citizenship applications from the British Overseas Territories. We have been informed from the relevant Government Departments (HO/FCDO) that they will be looking to issue determination decisions shortly and therefore we need to be prepared.  There is no capacity in the current team to absorb this work.

Recommendations Approved

Notice of Motion 1- Motion Opposing London Ulez Expansion

From: Constitution - Tuesday, 13th January, 2026 - January 13, 2026

Recommendations Approved

2023/2024 Budget and Council Tax (FIN/606A)

From: Constitution - Tuesday, 13th January, 2026 - January 13, 2026

An acquisitions budget was approved by Cabinet on 1st February 2023 (FIN/606A), which agreed to increase the capital budget for Acquisitions of Land and Dwellings by £10m, with £4m to be funded from 1-4-1 receipts and £6m from borrowing. The purpose of this acquisitions budget was to enable Officers to respond to opportunity acquisitions that may become available in the market and to strengthen the Council’s negotiation position to compete with greater certainty. This is also in reaction to the limited supply of affordable housing completions being forecast over the next two-year period, primarily as a result of the delays caused by water neutrality. Such acquisitions can play a significant role in addressing the increasing pressures on the Council’s Housing Register. A quick-win opportunity has arisen for the 20-unit scheme being built at 42-44 Brighton Road in Southgate, which was being built for the private market, and was scheduled to provide only two shared-ownership units due to scheme viability being under pressure primarily as a result of the land assembling costs. The scheme comprises five one-bed and fifteen two-bed apartments, which directly addresses Crawley’s housing needs, particularly at a time when new-build affordable housing is in short supply as a result of water neutrality impacting on the affordable housing programme. This scheme is at the final stages of construction, with completion anticipated by mid- to end-June 2023, providing an exceptionally quick-win for the Council. Officers have negotiated a discounted price from the open market value based on the bulk acquisition as well as cost savings brought about by converting this scheme into affordable housing, representing good value for money with almost immediate benefit to the Council. Accordingly, a contract for the freehold acquisition of this completed scheme has been drafted and is being prepared for exchange in the week commencing 8th May 2023.

Recommendations Approved

Mill Pond Play Area

From: Constitution - Tuesday, 13th January, 2026 - January 13, 2026

The purpose of the report is to notify of the contracting for a new investment in the former Mill Pond Adventure Playground in Bewbush. The playground site no longer operates following closure in 2021 and the decision is taken so that important works can proceed, bringing the site back into service as an unsupervised play area with a new range of play facilities meeting modern standards for play and recreation. Following a tender process, an appropriate play area design proposal was awarded to one supplier for the new scheme.

Recommendations Approved