Decision details

That Cabinet:

1.     Notes the progress made in respect of the North Essex Garden Communities project and endorses the work of NEGCLtd;

2.     Notes the updated position on the control of land and supports the continued work by the Local Delivery Vehicle (LDV) Directors to achieve control of the land for each Community by way of voluntary agreements with the current land owners in accordance with the LDV structure;

3.     Supports the approach proposed by NEGC Limited that Directors actively engage with Government to promote the positioning of the NEGC Limited as a “Responsible Body” for the establishment of a single new locally-controlled Development Corporation across all three of the proposed North Essex Garden Communities – subject to final consideration of this approach by Members after the publication of theRegulations;

4.     Supports the signing of a letter (attached as Appendix A) to be sent by the Leaders of all four of the Councils together with NEGC Limited to the relevant Secretary of State to support the promotion of regulations which enable the formation of a New Town Development Corporation with a locally accountable body in a timelyand  effective way;

5.     Notes that detailed work is being undertaken by NEGC Limited to assess the financial and legal implications and requirements relating to the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) to enable future decisions to be taken by the respective Councils / Development Corporation;

6.     Supports the principle of using compulsory purchase powers (either as individual Councils or potentially through a new Development Corporation) to secure control of the land if voluntary land agreements cannot be achieved in a reasonable time; and

7.     Agrees to provide a further contribution of £250,000 to fund the work of NEGC Limited in the development of the project, to be funded from the Garden Communities Project budget which is included within the Council’s currentbudget.