Cabinet, on 11 March 2020, resolved to:

1.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director Development to sign off the Pre-Planning Viability Condition and all other Stage One requirements of the Development Agreement detailed in this report, and confirm the project can move past Gateway One and into Stage Two (detailed design & planning submission) of the Development Agreement;

2.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Leisure & Housing and the Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing, to approve moving through the remaining Gateways of the Development Agreement and subsequently entering into a lease for the land with Catalyst Housing Limited, subject to the approved budget;

3.    Note that the Development Agreement sets out that if the scheme does not move forward to delivery, that the Council will incur 50% of the Stage 2 costs, an estimate of which is set out in the report. (paragraph 73);

4.    Approve the use the CIL receipts generated to facilitate the delivery of the community and infrastructure works set out in the concept plan and to recommend to Full Council that this commitment is recognised in the Capital Programme in 2022/23 and beyond as a potential future earmarked CIL receipt (for investment in strategic infrastructure and community facilities at Blackbird Leys) and subject to planning;

5.    Recommend to Council to allocate a budget of up to £21.528 million to deliver the scheme for new affordable and market housing, community and retail facilities and new and enhanced public space (paragraphs 11-19) and in line with the funding sources and viability assessment set out in this report. (paragraphs 57 – 62);

6.    Recommend to  Council to allocate the HRA and General Fund spend in accordance with the profile set out in the report.(paragraphs 63-64) and which will supersede any current budget held for this project; and

7.    Commit to the fullest ongoing engagement with the local community as part of the detailed design and planning stage and prior to submission of the planning application.

To move through Viability Gateway 2, as outlined in the Development Agreement between Oxford City Council and Catalyst Housing Limited, now Peabody, into Stage 3.

It must be noted that this decision is for Phase 1 only, and that the Deed of Variation to the Development Agreement adds an additional viability gateway for Phase 2.

The decision establishes Phase 1 of the Blackbird Leys regeneration project as a viable project, with a fixed construction cost and progresses it into the delivery phase or Stage 3 as outlined in the Development Agreement and Cabinet decision of 11 March 2020.

No alternative option.  Sign-off to move through viability Gateway 2 into Stage 3 is part of the express delegation from Cabinet given the scale and value of the project.

Decision taken by Tom Bridgman, Executive Director (Development) in consultation with Carolyn Ploszynski, Head of Regeneration and Economy; Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services; Emma Jackman, Head of Law and Governance; Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing; Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) – Finance and Asset Management and Councillor Susan Brown, Leader and Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy and Partnerships.