Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services.

The arrangements for the acquisition of land at Houghton Road, St Ives have been approved

(Councillor I C Bates declared a personal interest in the following matter by virtue of his membership of Cambridgeshire County Council)

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the annexe to the Minute Book) seeking approval to the proposed acquisition of land comprising circa 7.9 acres or thereabouts at Houghton Road, St. Ives from Cambridgeshire County Council. The land had been allocated in the Local Plan Alteration for residential purposes.

Having been acquainted by the Head of Housing Services with the possibility that the County Council might either offer the land to the District Council for immediate sale on to a Registered Social Landlord (“RSL”) or direct to an RSL nominated by the District Council, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that an exception to the District Council’s Code of Procurement be not approved in this case and that three RSL’s be invited to submit their proposals for development of the land;

  (b)that Cambridgeshire County Council be invited to offer the land directly to an RSL nominated by the District Council failing which and, subject to satisfactory resolution of the issue of stamp duty payable, terms be negotiated for the acquisition of the land by the District Council for the sale onto an RSL as described in the report now submitted;

  (c)that  if required, a supplementary capital estimate equivalent to the purchase price of the land and any related costs be approved; and

(d)  that in the event the land is acquired by the District Council for sale onto an RSL –

·  the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader of the Council be authorised to approve terms for the transactions; and

·  the availability of a capital receipt from the sale of the land to an RSL and the consequential absence of any financial impact on the District Council be noted.