Issue - meetings

To agree, in principle, the freehold purchase of two two-bedroomed residential properties in Clacton-on-Sea from a developer.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)    authorises, in principle, the freehold purchase of the two properties for inclusion into the Council’s housing stock; and

(b)    authorises, in principle, the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) to enter into a contract and transfer deed to complete the purchase of the properties (including the completion of all necessary statutory agreements prior to the completion of the purchase), 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 report.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a joint report of the Housing Portfolio Holder and the Corporate Finance & Governance Portfolio Holder (A.6) which sought its approval in principle, for the freehold purchase of two two-bedroomed residential properties in Clacton from a developer in order to bring them into the Council’s housing stock.

Members were aware that the Council had a target to bring 200 additional homes into the council housing stock in order to meet rising demands for high quality, affordable housing in the District. Those homes would be acquired or built via a range of approaches.

It was reported that a development of new housing in Clacton had presented the Council with an opportunity to purchase two brand new bungalows directly from the developer. The homes were designated as affordable homes, a requirement of the planning consent granted for the development, and as such were available to Council with a discount on the market value.

It was felt that this was an exciting opportunity to add two new homes to the council housing stock in order to meet the needs of two families currently on the Housing Register.

Cabinet was advised that these properties met the criteria set out in the Council’s Housing Acquisitions and Development Strategy that had been approved in late 2020.

The terms of the purchase were set out in the related Part B report that was to be considered later in the meeting.

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

It was moved by Councillor P B Honeywood, seconded by Councillor G V Guglielmi and:-

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)    authorises, in principle, the freehold purchase of the two properties for inclusion into the Council’s housing stock; and

(b)    authorises, in principle, the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) to enter into a contract and transfer deed to complete the purchase of the properties (including the completion of all necessary statutory agreements prior to the completion of the purchase), 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 report.