It was not possible to circulate this report five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent. The report sets out the background to the project, mandate from the residents of the Towers, strategies and next steps required to enable the redevelopment of the Ledbury Towers. In order to secure external funding, vacant possession of the building in Phase 1 was needed to be in place to secure a contractual start on site by September 2022.
RESOLVED:
Decisions of the Cabinet
1. That the ongoing engagement with the local community be noted and all residents thanked, and in particular the resident project group, for their contribution to the residents’ ballot.
2. That the result be noted and the result of the residents’ ballot decision to demolish the four tower blocks consisting of 224 homes (known as Bromyard House, Peterchurch House, Skenfrith House and Sarnsfield House) and provide a minimum of 333 homes across two phases, in line with the commitments set out within the Landlord Offer Document be ratified.
3. That the project be approved to deliver a minimum of 333 homes on the Ledbury Estate.
4. That a variation to the housing investment programme for funding of £5.4M to take the project, subject to planning consent, out to tender for a contractor be approved.
5. That it be noted that further work will be undertaken to review phasing and contractor procurement so as to improve financial viability.
6. That the commencement of the next phase of acquisition of leasehold interests on the four towers via negotiation, under terms that would apply pursuant to a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) be approved, and approval of compensation packages for the acquisition of individual leasehold interests be delegated to the director of planning and growth in consultation with the strategic director of housing and modernisation.
7. That the continued rehousing of all secure tenants remaining in the four towers to enable vacant possession of the blocks in order that the delivery of the proposed redevelopment of the Ledbury towers can proceed be approved.
8. That the delivery programme, financial implications and associated risks of the project be noted.
9. That project progress since the February cabinet paper be noted.
10. That it be noted that a gateway report will be progressed to appoint an architect and employers’ agent who will work closely with residents in the design of their new homes.
Decisions of the Leader of the Council
11. That the procurement and appointment of a design team, to RIBA stage 3+ and consultants to the wider project team for the duration of the project to take the scheme to planning, and subject to consent, procurement of a contractor for Ledbury Towers scheme be delegated to the cabinet member for council homes and homelessness.
12. That the serving of demolition notices in order to suspend qualifying tenants from exercising their right to buy (RTB) their homes for a period of up to 7 years be delegated to the cabinet member for council homes and homelessness.