Cabinet, on 15 March 2023, resolved to:

1.    Give project approval for the acquisition of affordable dwellings developed by Oxford City Homes Ltd (OCHL) for which budgetary provision has been made in the Council’s Housing Revenue Account in respect of:

a)    Oxford North (referenced in paragraphs 9 to 18 of the report), and

b)    Goose Green, Wolvercote (referenced in paragraphs 19 to 34 of the report), and

c)    Meadow Lane, Iffley (referenced in paragraphs 35 to 49 of the report);

2.      Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development),in consultation with the Executive Director (Communities and People); the Cabinet Member for Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Head of Law and Governance/Monitoring Officer,to finalise the scheme design and financial appraisals and enter into agreements and contracts to facilitate the agreed purchase by the Council of the affordable housing (to be held in the HRA) and any associated land, within the identified budget,for the provision of the affordable housing (111 affordable homes) on the Oxford North development, within the project approval;

3.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Communities and People) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Delivery; the Cabinet Member for Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer and the Head of Law and Governance/Monitoring Officerto finalise the scheme design and financial appraisals and enter into agreements and contracts to facilitate the purchase by the Council of the social rent and shared ownership homes (to be held in the HRA) and any associated land, within the identified budget and within this project approval forGoose Green, Wolvercote (16 affordable homes);

4.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development),in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Head of Law and Governance/Monitoring Officer,to approve the final terms and enter into the transfer in relation to Goose Green from the General Fund to OCHL;

5.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development),in consultation with the Executive Director (Communities and People); the Cabinet Member for Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Head of Law and Governance/Monitoring Officer,to finalise the scheme design and financial appraisals and enter into agreements and contracts to facilitate the agreed purchase by the Council of the affordable housing (to be held in the HRA) and any associated land, from OCHL, for the provision of the affordable housing on the Meadow Lane, Iffley development (32 affordable homes), and within the identified budget and this project approval.

To enter into a Development Service Agreement (DSA) with OCHL to undertake all development services in relation to the affordable housing at the ‘Canalside’ housing development, Oxford North.  The budget envelope for the project has been provided at annual February Council budget setting meetings.

The fee for the development management services is agreed at 6% of the land and build cost.

The decision will allow sealing of the Development Services Agreement between OCC and OCHL.  This engages OCHL as the development manager on behalf of the Council to undertake the direct development of these sites in the HRA.  The project will enable the delivery of 111 affordable new homes, which supports the Council's strategy and priority of providing more affordable housing. This initiative contributes to the City Council's affordable homes delivery programme.

If OCHL does not act as the development manager for the scheme, the Council would be unable to deliver it directly as outlined in the affordable housing supply programme and the OCHL and HRA Business Plans.

Decision taken by Tom Bridgman, Executive Director (Development) in consultation with Peter Matthew, Interim Executive Director (Communities and People); Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services; Emma Jackman, Head of Law and Governance and Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities.