Issue - decisions

Feedback from the Gleadless Valley Masterplan Community Consultation, Proposed Changes to the Masterplan and an Outline of the Key Delegations Needed for Implementation of the Masterplan.

24/03/2022 - Feedback from the Gleadless Valley Masterplan community consultation, proposed changes to the Masterplan and outlines the key delegations needed for implementing the Masterplan.

5.1

The report shared the community feedback from the consultation on the draft Masterplan for Gleadless Valley and outlined what was supported by the community and if there were any areas where there was less support from those most affected in the community.

 

The report also confirmed the blocks that would be replaced or remodelled as part of the Masterplan and noted that a Local Lettings Policy would be needed that would give preference to residents with a demolition priority to enable them to stay within the area. 

 

It also sought approval for the Masterplan and to authorise the Director of Housing to make nonmaterial changes to the draft Masterplan and publish a Final Masterplan and for a number of delegations to the Director of Housing and the Head of Regeneration and Property that were needed to implement the Masterplan.

 

 

5.2

RESOLVED: That Co-operative Executive:-

 

 

  1. Consider carefully the feedback from the community consultation on the draft Masterplan for Gleadless Valley and have regard to it in making decisions on matters addressed in this report; 

 

  1. Agree the Masterplan and authorise the Director of Housing to make non-material changes to the plan based on the feedback that has been received;

 

  1. Authorise the Director of Housing to make arrangements to progress the implementation of Gleadless Valley Masterplan into the delivery of works phase and bring forward individual projects for approval in line with the Councils capital approval process;

 

  1. Authorise the Director of Housing to publish a final Masterplan by end June 2022;

 

  1. Delegates to the Director of Housing in consultation with the Corporate Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety and pursuant to the Leaders Scheme of Delegation to:

 

  1. Agree and implement the arrangements for ceasing the letting of empty properties and when to begin the clearance process in accordance with the phasing programme to be determined.

 

  1. Agree and implement the arrangements for awarding priority for rehousing in line with the Allocations Policy for those residents affected by demolition or remodelling in line with the phasing programme to be agreed.

 

  1. Agree and implement a Local Lettings Policy that will give preference to residents with a demolition priority to enable them to stay within the area subject to eligibility; 

 

  1. Authorises the Head of Regeneration and Property to verify and validate statutory compensation claims of qualifying tenants and residents displaced under these phased schemes, and thereafter pay qualifying persons (1) discretionary home-loss payments, and (2) discretionary payments to cover any removal expenses;

 

  1. Approve that the Head of Regeneration and Property Services be authorised to (1) negotiate and agree terms for the acquisition of dwellings listed which are not owned by the City Council and, (2) to instruct the Director of Legal and Governance to complete the necessary legal documentation in respect of the acquisition of such properties;

 

  1. Approves that the Head of Regeneration and Property Services Property be authorised to make statutory home-loss payments to qualifying owner occupiers and tenants of private landlords and to make other necessary and lawful payments of compensation to owners of property being purchased; and

 

  1. Approves that the Regeneration and Property Services be authorised to (1) negotiate the surrender of any commercial leases including electrical substations, telecommunications and other service equipment as required (2) to instruct the Director of Legal and Governance to complete the necessary legal documentation.

 

 

5.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

5.3.1

The Council embarked on the masterplan work in 2017 following a grant bid to Government for Estate Regeneration Funding. A fundamental requirement of the grant bid and best practice in estate regeneration is that the communities affected should be engaged in the development and implementation of masterplans.  The Council has promised it would consult on the masterplan. The proposals for the masterplan were co-produced with members and community.

 

 

5.3.2

An engagement plan was developed, and all residents and stakeholders have had the opportunity to provide feedback.  Feedback has now been collated following a 6-week consultation process, this indicates support overall for the proposals.

 

 

5.3.3

Members of the Gleadless Valley Steering Group have reflected on the feedback and have proposed (Table 3 of the report) the plan is refined in a few small areas, but these do not change the overall goals, principles, vision or financial plan for the masterplan.

 

 

5.3.4

The outcomes that are now sought are:

  • Members to carefully consider and have regard to the consultation feedback in making its decisions arising from this report
  • Members to endorse moving forward and to approve the Masterplan
  • Members to approve and authorise that officers should make nonmaterial changes to the masterplan in response to some of the feedback received through consultation, and that the final plan  be published in June 2022
  • Delegations to be given to the Director of Housing and the Head of Regeneration and Property to enable the masterplan to be delivered
  • Officers to commence work to develop a delivery plan to enable the work described in the report to be implemented

 

 

5.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

5.4.1

  1. Delaying a decision on the adoption of a Masterplan

 

There would be a high risk of the community losing faith with the Council on this project as they have invested in this work and homes are in urgent need of improvement. The feedback from residents clearly indicates they are concerned about the condition of their homes.  There is a high level of support from the residents directly affected and although low survey returns for the overall plan the feedback is overall in support of the improvements that are proposed.

 

 

 

 

5.4.2

  1. Abandon any plans to implement the Masterplan.

 

The masterplan has been in development for over 4 years and was funded by a grant bid in 2017 to Government. If the plan did not move into delivery stage as an overarching plan the council would still need to commit significant investment and deliver elements of extensive repairs to ensure homes were maintained in line with stock condition surveys.  There would be a risk that the homes in need of most interventions would become even less sustainable and this could have a negative impact on the estate, rental income would be lost and reactive repair costs would rise.

 

 

5.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

5.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

None

 

 

5.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

 

Executive Director, Place

 

 

11.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

 

 

Please Note: This decision is not subject to call-in, in accordance with the Fast-Track process set out in Scrutiny Procedure Rule 17 of the Constitution.