Agenda item

It was noted that:

(a)  The pilot HRA scheme at Eschle Court would be on site by May 2016 and would provide 11 social rented flats by March 2017.

(b)  The first batch of four HRA projects, which included a combination of new build and refurbished HRA properties, would be on site by October 2016 and would provide 5 new homes, including a specially adapted wheelchair bungalow.

(c)  Subject to planning approval, the second batch of new homes, which would include 24 properties for sale and 19 specialist apartments for rent for adults with learning difficulties, would be on site before December 2016.

It was agreed that:

(d)  The Assistant Director Procurement & Commercial Services be given delegated authority to market test and remove any of the small (2 units or less) HRA sites that do not have signed build contracts in place and promote them through the Repair Maintenance and Investment (RMI) procurement process if they deem that this approach will generate best value for the Council.

(e)  A progress report, providing an update on additional small General Fund sites, would be presented to Cabinet for consideration by Cabinet in September 2016. 

The Cabinet received a follow up to the report considered in September 2015 on the progress of developing Slough Borough Council owned smaller sites.  It had been agreed to deliver the package of sites through the Slough Regeneration Partnership and the report provided an update on progress in bringing forward sites.

A pilot HRA site at Eschle Court would be on site by May 2016 to provide 11 social rented flats and the first batch of four HRA project were scheduled to start on site by October 2016.  Further developments were in the pipeline as detailed in Appendix One, which contained exempt information and was noted during Part I of the meeting without disclosing any exempt information.

The development of smaller, infill sites was recognised as being important in improving local neighbourhoods as well as providing additional housing.  The Cabinet welcomed the positive progress in working through the SRP to bring forward both major sites such as Wexham Nursery and the smaller, more difficult sites as detailed in the report.  More generally, the Cabinet commented on wide range of schemes now moving forward to delivery via the Slough Regeneration Partnership which demonstrated that the hard work in the early stages of establishing the complex joint venture was now achieving significant regeneration of housing, leisure and community benefits across the borough.  At the conclusion of the discussion, the Cabinet noted the report and agreed the recommendations.

Resolved –

(a)  That it be noted that the pilot HRA scheme at Eschle Court would be on site by May 2016 and would provide 11 social rented flats by March 2017.

(b)  That the first batch of four HRA projects, which included a combination of new build and refurbished HRA properties, would be on site by October 2016 and would provide 5 new homes, including a specially adapted wheelchair bungalow.

(c)  That subject to planning approval, the second batch of new homes, which would include 24 properties for sale and 19 specialist apartments for rent for adults with learning difficulties, would be on site before December 2016.

(d)  That the Assistant Director Procurement & Commercial Services be given delegated authority to market test and remove any of the small (2 units or less) HRA sites that do not have signed build contracts in place and promote them through the Repair Maintenance and Investment (RMI) procurement process if they deem that this approach will generate best value for the Council.

(e)  That a progress report, providing an update on additional small General Fund sites, would be presented to Cabinet for consideration by Cabinet in September 2016.