Issue - meetings

To seek Cabinet’s approval, in principle, for the freehold purchase of a three bedroom residential property in Clacton-on-Sea to meet local housing needs.

RESOLVED that Cabinet authorises, in principle, the freehold purchase of the property in question for inclusion into the Council’s housing stock.

Cabinet had before it a joint report of the Corporate Finance & Governance Portfolio Holder and the Housing Portfolio Holder (A.7) which sought its approval, in principle, for the freehold purchase of a three bedroom residential property in Clacton-on-Sea to meet local housing needs.

Cabinet was 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 this proposal was in respect of an opportunity to purchase a vacant three bedroom ex-Council house that was currently for sale on the open market in Clacton-on-Sea. For a number of years the Council had had a strong demand for three bedroom houses and this property met the criteria set out in the Council’s adopted Housing Acquisitions and Development Strategy.

Members were informed that, in October 2021, Portfolio Holder approval had been obtained to initiate the Council’s Property Dealing Procedure, to obtain an independent valuation of the property and to negotiate a price with the owners. An independent market valuation had now been obtained and negotiations with the owner had been completed satisfactorily, to enable the purchase to be progressed to a conclusion. Purchasing this property would add an additional property to the Council’s housing stock in the Housing Revenue Account in an area of high demand.

Having considered all of the information and advice contained in the Portfolio Holders’ joint report and to enable this matter to progress to a satisfactory conclusion:-

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet authorises, in principle, the freehold purchase of the property in question for inclusion into the Council’s housing stock.