The Head of Housing Services has submitted a report to seek approval in the first instance for the transfer of the freehold interest in Lucy Faithfull House to the Council’s Housing Group of companies and making available the necessary loan finance for the development of the site to proceed, whilst leaving the possibility to develop the site within the HRA as a secondary option.

Recommendation: That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1.    Approve the disposal of the freehold interest in Lucy Faithfull House to the appropriate company within  the Council’s Housing Group  (“OCHL”) and delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and the Head of Financial Services to approve the terms of the disposal;

2.    Recommend to Council to include a budget of £13m in the General Fund Capital Programme for the provision of a loan to OCHL for the purpose of developing the site for residential accommodation as detailed in the Council’s Consultation Budget Report presented elsewhere on the agenda; and

3.    Recommend that if progress of the preferred option of development within OCHL is deferred for whatever reason then the option of development using the HRA as the delivery vehicle is considered.

The Head of Housing Services had submitted a report to seek approval in the first instance for the transfer of the freehold interest in Lucy Faithfull House to the Council’s Housing Group of companies and making available the necessary loan finance for the development of the site to proceed, whilst leaving the possibility to develop the site within the HRA as a secondary option.

Councillor Mike Rowley, Lead Member for Housing, reminded Members  that the principles of the proposals in the report had been previously agreed by the Board.

The Board were pleased to support the recommendations which would result in a welcome increase to the City’s affordable housing opportunities while noting the importance of giving careful thought to allocations to these properties. Smaller units might present opportunities to move tenants from elsewhere in the City, so freeing up larger properties.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.     Approve the disposal of the freehold interest in Lucy Faithfull House to the appropriate company within  the Council’s Housing Group  (“OCHL”) and delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and the Head of Financial Services to approve the terms of the disposal;

2.     Recommend to Council to include a budget of £13m in the General Fund Capital Programme for the provision of a loan to OCHL for the purpose of developing the site for residential accommodation as detailed in the Council’s Consultation Budget Report presented elsewhere on the agenda; and

3.     Recommend that if progress of the preferred option of development within OCHL is deferred for whatever reason then the option of development using the HRA as the delivery vehicle is considered.

Lead Member: Councillor Mike Rowley, Board Member for  Housing.

The Head of Housing Services has submitted a report which seeks approval to demolish Lucy Faithfull House and to agree that officers investigate the viability of making the site available to the Council’s housing company (OCHL) for development.

Recommendation: That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1.    Approve  the demolition of Lucy Faithfull House.

2.    Authorise officers to investigate the viability of undertaking the development of the site as outlined below with Oxford City Housing Limited (OCHL) as part of its overall development programme.

The Head of Housing Services submitted a report which sought  approval to demolish Lucy Faithfull House and to agree that officers investigate the viability of making the site available to the Council’s housing company (OCHL) for development.

Councillor Mike Rowley, Board Member for Housing introduced the report by referring back to the response given to Alex Curtis attached to these minutes. He was confident that with the support of the third sector there were sufficient beds available to meet the needs of rough sleepers in the City. He paid particular tribute to the support of the City centre churches in this. At the beginning of the next financial year 167 beds will be available which is likely to exceed the level of need at that point.

The number of rough sleepers in the City has increased in recent year as has the level of provision. A significant proportion of rough sleepers have mental and or addiction difficulties which  require specialist support.  It was clear that Lucy Faithfull House was neither suitable, in its present state, for rough sleepers nor necessary given provision elsewhere.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.         Approve  the demolition of Lucy Faithfull House.

2.         Authorise officers to investigate the viability of undertaking the development of the site as outlined below with Oxford City Housing Limited (OCHL) as part of its overall development programme.

The Head of Housing introduced the report and explained the reasons why authorisation was being sought to demolish Lucy Faithful House.  He said that the building was old-fashioned, in poor condition and the internal layout was such that refurbishment would not be desirable.  The plan was to redevelop the site as residential accommodation and to maximise the delivery of affordable housing.

In discussion and in response to questions the Panel noted that:

·         Asbestos surveys were being undertaken ahead of demolition early in the New Year.

·         Alternative uses for the building (e.g. as a severe weather shelter) had been considered but ruled out on the basis that there was adequate capacity elsewhere and insufficient time (and no budget) to make the building safe and find a suitable management organisation.

·         The building had recently been used by a guardianship organisation but there had been significant concerns and complaints about safety, resulting in Environmental Health action.

The Head of Housing Services offered to share information about severe weather accommodation with members.