Appendices 1 and 2 to this item include exempt information pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. If Council wishes to discuss matters relating to the information set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report, it will be necessary for the Council to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting (as set out at agenda item 14).

The Executive Director (Development) submitted a report to Cabinet on 24 January 2024 which sought project and contract approval and delegations, budget and delegations in relation to affordable housing schemes across five small/garage sites.  All sites had been allocated initial funding through the Brownfield Land Release Fund (“BLRF2”) following a successful bid.  The report sought approval for appropriation from General Fund (“GF”) to Housing Revenue Fund, and to a planning purpose, where necessary; approval for the disposal of land as required; approval for the demolition of garages held in the GF and approval for demolition of vacant units currently held within the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”).

The draft Cabinet minutes will be available here when published.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing will present the report and present Cabinet’s recommendations.

Recommendation: Cabinet recommends that Council resolves to:

1.    Allocate of a £340,213 capital budget (which will be funded entirely by the BLRF2 grant) to carry out the demolition/ enabling works on each site as detailed within the BLRF2 application (see table, paragraph 14).

Cllr Pressel arrived at the meeting.

Council considered the report from the Executive Director (Development) seeking project and contract approval and delegations, budget and delegations in relation to affordable housing schemes across five small/garage sites. All sites had been allocated initial funding through the Brownfield Land Release Fund (“BLRF2”) following a successful bid. The report sought approval for appropriation from General Fund (“GF”) to Housing Revenue Fund, and to a planning purpose, where necessary; approval for the disposal of land as required; approval for the demolition of garages held in the GF and approval for demolition of vacant units currently held within the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”).

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the report, proposed the recommendation and answered questions.

The recommendation was agreed on being seconded by Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, and put to the vote.

Council resolves to:

1. Allocate of a £340,213 capital budget (which will be funded entirely by the BLRF2 grant) to carry out the demolition/enabling works on each site as detailed within the BLRF2 application (see table, paragraph 14).

The Executive Director (Development) has submitted a report to seek project and contract approvals and delegations; budget; and delegations in relation to affordable housing schemes across five small / garage sites.  All sites have been allocated initial funding through the Brownfield Land Release Fund following a successful bid. The report seeks approval for appropriation from General Fund to Housing Revenue Fund, and to a planning purpose, where necessary; approval for the disposal of land as required; approval for the demolition of garages held in the General Fund and approval for demolition of vacant units currently held within the Housing Revenue Account.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.   Note the Council’s participation in the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF2) in order to undertake demolitions and groundworks and prepare five Council-owned sites to deliver affordable housing. The sites are at:

a) Underhill Circus (referenced in paragraphs 26 - 35 of this report)

b) Leiden Road (referenced in paragraphs 36 – 44 of this report)

c) Balfour Road (referenced in paragraphs 49 - 54 of this report)

d) Harebell Road (referenced in paragraphs 55 - 64 of this report)

e) Pegasus Road (referenced in paragraphs 65 - 74 of this report);

2.  Grant project approval to undertake the works on the basis of which BLRF 2 grant has been made available and for which budgetary provision is detailed;

3.   Recommend to Council the allocation of a £340,213 capital budget (which will be funded entirely by the BLRF2 grant) to carry out the demolition/ enabling works on each site as detailed within the BLRF2 application (see table, paragraph 14);

4.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Head of Law and Governance/Monitoring Officer, to enter into agreements and contracts to facilitate the works specified within the BLRF2 application, within the allocated capital budget;

5.   Grant project approval to the proposals to enter into contracts and any other necessary agreements or contracts and incur associated development cost spends, as set out in this report, and within the allocated Housing Revenue Account capital budget and business plan, for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford for the sites of Underhill Circus and Leiden Road - conditional on the Council approving the budget for these sites;

6.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Head of Law and Governance/Monitoring Officer, to enter into build contracts and any other necessary agreements or contracts for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford in relation to the sites at Underhill Circus and Leiden Road and within the allocated Housing Revenue Account capital budget and business plan and to apply to the Secretary of State for consent (insofar as required) to the appropriations and disposals under section 19 of Housing Act 1985;

7.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development)  ...  view the full agenda text for item 113

The Executive Director (Development) had submitted a report to seek project and contract approvals and delegations; budget; and delegations in relation to affordable housing schemes across five small / garage sites.  All sites had been allocated initial funding through the Brownfield Land Release Fund following a successful bid. The report sought approval for appropriation from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Fund, and to a planning purpose, where necessary; approval for the disposal of land as required; approval for the demolition of garages held in the General Fund and approval for demolition of vacant units currently held within the Housing Revenue Account.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing, highlighted that the proposal would allow for derelict small and garage sites, which often attracted litter and anti-social behaviour, to be put to better use for affordable housing.  It was hoped that up to 30 new homes would be provided (subject to planning permission), of which 100% would be affordable housing.  Councillor Smith reported that work was ongoing to survey other unused small sites across the city which might also be suitable for redevelopment for affordable housing should future funding opportunities allow.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.   Note the Council’s participation in the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF2) in order to undertake demolitions and groundworks and prepare five Council-owned sites to deliver affordable housing. The sites are at:

a) Underhill Circus (referenced in paragraphs 26 - 35 of this report)

b) Leiden Road (referenced in paragraphs 36 – 44 of this report)

c) Balfour Road (referenced in paragraphs 49 - 54 of this report)

d) Harebell Road (referenced in paragraphs 55 - 64 of this report)

e) Pegasus Road (referenced in paragraphs 65 - 74 of this report);

2.  Grant project approval to undertake the works on the basis of which BLRF 2 grant has been made available and for which budgetary provision is detailed;

3.   Recommend to Council the allocation of a £340,213 capital budget (which will be funded entirely by the BLRF2 grant) to carry out the demolition/ enabling works on each site as detailed within the BLRF2 application (see table, paragraph 14);

4.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Head of Law and Governance/Monitoring Officer, to enter into agreements and contracts to facilitate the works specified within the BLRF2 application, within the allocated capital budget;

5.   Grant project approval to the proposals to enter into contracts and any other necessary agreements or contracts and incur associated development cost spends, as set out in this report, and within the allocated Housing Revenue Account capital budget and business plan, for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford for the sites of Underhill Circus and Leiden Road - conditional on the Council approving the budget for these sites;

6.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113