Issue - meetings

To seek approval from Cabinet to agree the revised terms for the freehold sale of a five bedroom residential property in Harwich requiring substantial structural and maintenance work.

RESOLVED that Cabinet authorises, in principle, the revised terms for the freehold sale of the property and also authorises, in principle, the Corporate Director for Operations and Delivery to enter into a contract and transfer deed in order to complete the sale of the property, subject to the Cabinet’s decision to be taken later in the meeting (following the exclusion of the press and public) in respect of the related Part B private and confidential report.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a joint report of the Corporate Finance & Governance Portfolio Holder and the Housing Portfolio Holder (A.8) which sought its approval, in principle, for the revised terms for the freehold sale of a five bedroom residential property in Harwich which required substantial structural and maintenance work.

Cabinet recalled that, in December 2019, it had made the decision to dispose of a five bedroom residential property in Harwich which was in need of substantial structural repairs and maintenance work.

Following a structural engineers report on the condition of the property, commissioned by the prospective purchaser, a revised selling price had been negotiated reflecting the structural repairs identified as necessary. The revised terms were set out in the Portfolio Holders’ private and confidential report that would be considered later in the meeting following the exclusion of the press and public.

It was reported that the house was currently vacant and had not been let since the last tenant had moved out in April 2019. Due to the nature and age of the house the maintenance and running costs were high and selling the property would avoid the Council having to spend upwards of £50,000 in capital works to solve dampness and structural problems. The use of the receipts could be added to funds already held from Right to Buy and/or Section 106 receipts and used to bring a more suitable additional dwelling(s) into the Housing Revenue Account that could immediately begin generating a return.

Having considered all of the information and advice contained in the Portfolio Holders’ report:-

It was moved by Councillor P B Honeywood, seconded by Councillor Stock OBE and:-

RESOLVED that Cabinet authorises, in principle, the revised terms for the freehold sale of the property and also authorises, in principle, the Corporate Director for Operations and Delivery to enter into a contract and transfer deed in order to complete the sale of the property, subject to the Cabinet’s decision to be taken later in the meeting (following the exclusion of the press and public) in respect of the related Part B private and confidential report.