Agenda item

To consider whether to acquire two sites in a regeneration area, Clacton-on-Sea, with a view to facilitating development or directly developing the sites for housing/regeneration stimulation.

That Cabinet:–

(a)   approves, in principle, the acquisition of the sites identified in item B.2 of the Joint Report of the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Housing for the purposes of development and providing housing, subject to the Cabinet’s further decision on terms to be taken later in the meeting following the exclusion of the press and public; and

(b)   authorises the Corporate Director (Corporate Services) and the Corporate Director (Operational Services), in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Council’s Section 151 Officer and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to complete the acquisition of the sites on the terms set out in item B.2 of the Joint Report of the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Corporate Services and on such other terms and conditions that they consider appropriate.

There was submitted a joint report by the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Housing (Report A.2), which sought Cabinet’s approval to acquire two sites in a regeneration area in Clacton-on-Sea with a view to facilitating development or directly developing the sites for housing/regeneration stimulation.

Cabinet was reminded that, following changes to the financing of Council housing within the Housing Revenue Account, it was now financially viable for local authorities to add to their existing stock through acquisition or new build. Therefore, in accordance with its initiation procedures, Tendring District Council (“the Council”) had been in exploratory discussions with several landholders and landlords in the west Clacton area for a number of months/years and had now purchased some sites and reached provisional agreements, subject to the necessary approvals and contracts on other sites. 

It was reported that two sites which had not been included in previous reports to Cabinet had now become available and negotiations had been completed.

The Council had recognised that, due to the difficult market conditions in the area high quality private sector housing development was potentially not viable and therefore unlikely to take place.  The Council, in its community leadership and housing provider roles, was seeking to kick-start regeneration of the area by direct housing development in order to improve housing conditions for local residents and stimulate a change in market conditions.  It was also in discussions with Essex County Council with a view to it also facilitating investment in that area.

It was felt that, whilst viability of market housing was a concern, the Council could take a longer strategic view in respect of its investment in the area but given the competing offers which were emerging it required flexibility in undertaking negotiations with developers and so at this stage, specific details pertaining to those site were only identified in item B.2 of the Joint Report of the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Housing as disclosure prior to other negotiations being completed could compromise the Council’s position on those sites as well as others which might emerge.

Having considered the report and the advice of Officers, it was moved by Councillor Stock, seconded by Councillor Honeywood and:

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       approves, in principle, the acquisition of the sites identified in item B.2 of the Joint Report of the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Housing for the purposes of development and providing housing, subject to the Cabinet’s further decision on terms to be taken later in the meeting following the exclusion of the press and public; and

(b)          authorises the Corporate Director (Corporate Services) and the Corporate Director (Operational Services), in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Council’s Section 151 Officer and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to complete the acquisition of the sites on the terms set out in item B.2 of the Joint Report of the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Corporate Services and on such other terms and conditions that they consider appropriate.