Agenda item

(a)  That it be noted that the delivery of this project, which fulfils several One Public Estate objectives, has been identified as a priority at a corporate management level.

(b)  That delegated authority be given to the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources (or their successor) to enter into a Compulsory Purchase Order Indemnity Agreement (CPOIA) and if necessary, a development agreement with MSH (and any other relevant third party) prior to undertaking any preparatory works in respect of the CPO.

(c)  That the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources (or their successor) be authorised to take all necessary steps to secure the making, submission, confirmation and implementation of a CPO to acquire any third party proprietary interests within the Slough Fire Station Area site (see Appendix 1)

(d)  That the Interim Strategic Director Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to issue all relevant notices and certificates in connection with the making, confirmation and implementation of any CPO.

(e)  That the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to acquire third party proprietary interests by private treaty negotiation.

(f)  That the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to dispose of any third party proprietary interests acquired pursuant to the CPO to MSH in accordance with terms to be agreed.

(g)  That the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to make General Vesting Declarations (GVDs) under the Compulsory Purchase ( Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 and/or to serve notices to treat and notices of entry (if required) following confirmation of a CPO by the Secretary of State;

(h)  That the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to issue and serve any warrants to obtain possession of property acquired by the Council following the execution of a GVD or service of a notice of entry if it was considered appropriate to do so.

(i)  That delegated authority be given to the Interim Strategic Director of Housing, Regeneration and Resources to work with MSH and the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority to facilitate the regeneration of this gateway site.

The Commissioner for Housing & Urban Renewal introduced a report that sought approval for the Council to support Michael Shanly Homes (MSH) and the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Authority by using Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers on regeneration grounds to complete the site assembly for a mixed use scheme on a key gateway site.

The Assistant Director Assets, Infrastructure & Regeneration read a statement sent on behalf of the Fire Authority clarifying that Officers of the authority had entered into informal discussions with MSH and the Council about scheme, but there was no formal partnership in place with MSH, and that any potential agreement would be subject to the appropriate governance arrangements of the authority.  The Cabinet noted the statement in full, although it was considered that the clarification did not materially effect the recommendations being put to Cabinet to agree the delegations necessary to proceed with a CPO if the scheme progressed in the interests of all parties.

The Cabinet recognised the strategic importance of the site and the opportunity to create a new or refurbished fire station as part of the overall development, if agreement could be reached between MSH and the Fire Authority.  It was emphasised that the Council’s role in the scheme at the present time was in a supporting capacity in terms of land assembly, however, other options could be pursued in the future if MSH and the Fire Authority were unable to bring forward a scheme.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Cabinet agreed the recommendations as set out in the report, noting the clarification from the Fire Authority about the current status of their discussions with MSH.

Resolved –

(a)  That it be noted that the delivery of this project, which fulfils several One Public Estate objectives, has been identified as a priority at a corporate management level.

(b)  That delegated authority be given to the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources (or their successor) to enter into a Compulsory Purchase Order Indemnity Agreement (CPOIA) and if necessary, a development agreement with MSH (and any other relevant third party) prior to undertaking any preparatory works in respect of the CPO.

(c)  That the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources (or their successor) be authorised to take all necessary steps to secure the making, submission, confirmation and implementation of a CPO to acquire any third party proprietary interests within the Slough Fire Station Area site (as at Appendix 1 to the report)

(d)  That the Interim Strategic Director Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to issue all relevant notices and certificates in connection with the making, confirmation and implementation of any CPO.

(e)  That the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to acquire third party proprietary interests by private treaty negotiation.

(f)  That the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to dispose of any third party proprietary interests acquired pursuant to the CPO to MSH in accordance with terms to be agreed.

(g)  That the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to make General Vesting Declarations (GVDs) under the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 and/or to serve notices to treat and notices of entry (if required) following confirmation of a CPO by the Secretary of State;

(h)  That the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to issue and serve any warrants to obtain possession of property acquired by the Council following the execution of a GVD or service of a notice of entry if it was considered appropriate to do so.

(i)  That delegated authority be given to the Interim Strategic Director of Housing, Regeneration and Resources to work with MSH and the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority to facilitate the regeneration of this gateway site.