Decision details

16.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report in relation to the acquisition of brownfield sites.

16.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

delegates authority to the Executive Directors of Resources and Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to progress the priority acquisitions as outlined in the report by approving the release of funding from the Growth Investment Fund;

(b)

delegates authority to the Chief Property Officer to recommend the combination of sites to be acquired, including any substitutions to the priority acquisitions programme so far as is consistent with the aims and approach outlined in this report to allow flexibility in response to rapidly changing market conditions;

(c)

delegates authority to the Chief Property Officer, subject to funding being approved in accordance with this recommendation, to:

(i) negotiate and agree terms for the acquisition of the properties and instruct the Director of Legal and Governance to enter into appropriate legal documentation;

(ii) make appropriate loss and disturbance payments under the Land Compensation Act 1973 to the owners and occupiers of those sites; and

(c) commission any necessary asset enhancement works to facilitate the disposal and development of the sites.

16.3

Reasons for Decision

16.3.1

The intended outcome is to accelerate housing delivery on brownfield land.

16.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

16.4.1

Do nothing – may result in the vacant sites remaining undeveloped for the foreseeable future or individual sites developed in isolation in a way that could restrict the development of adjoining sites as well as uses that are no longer appropriate to the area remaining in the City Centre.

16.4.2

Acquire all the identified priority acquisitions – this would involve significant capital expenditure and would expose SCC to further borrowing and interest payments.

16.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

16.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

The report contains exempt information described in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person.

16.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place

16.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing