2. To endorse the revised planning strategy for the project.
3. To approve commencement of the procurement of a development partner to support the delivery of the Guildford Park Road housing project.
4. To approve the spend of up to £700,000, already allocated for the scheme within the Housing Revenue Account approved capital programme, to deliver the procurement activity.
5. To delegate to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Housing and Community and Lead Councillor for Regeneration, authority to enter into such other contracts and legal agreements connected with the Guildford Park Road housing project as may be necessary in compliance with Procurement Procedure Rules and within the approved budget.
Reason(s):
1. The Guildford Park Road redevelopment is a key scheme within the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan that will deliver a significant number of additional homes in the town centre. Officers currently have no authority to initiate the delivery phase of the scheme, and this authority is now sought from the Executive.
2. The recommendation will support the delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan (2021-2025) priorities by providing and facilitating housing that people can afford.
Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:
1. Do Minimum – Sell the site with no conditions attached
3. Do Most – The Council builds out the scheme directly and takes on all development risks
Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:
None.
(1) To authorise immediate payment of £70,106.89 to UK Power Networks (UKPN) to establish the capacity for, and cost of, the electrical connections that will be required for the Guildford Park Road Redevelopment scheme.
(2) To authorise the Strategic Director: Place, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Resources, to enter into such agreements as are necessary with UKPN.
(3) To agree that funding for this payment be brought forward into this financial year from the approved HRA capital programme budget for 2023/24 in respect of this project.
(4) To agree that the call-in provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16 (h) should not apply in respect of the decision in respect of this matter due to its urgency.
Reason(s)
Officers consider that authorising this payment now will be of significant benefit to this project in the future. Making the payment will secure electrical capacity for the scheme and shield it from unquantified but potentially significant cost, programme and deliverability risk.
Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:
Option (b) To not authorise officers to make payment to UKPN now.
Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:
None.