Issue - meetings

Council considered the recommendation of Cabinet on the redevelopment of Harper House. The proposed demolition and rebuilding of Harper House would enable the Council to take advantage of a time-limited grant funding programme and improve the quality of emergency accommodation within the Borough for vulnerable homeless households. It would also minimise risk of financial losses, legal challenge or reputational damage should the condition of the current building deteriorate.

Resolved to:

1.    Approve the supplementary capital programme provision of £2.6m for the full demolition and rebuild costs for Harper House; and

2.      Authorise the Chief Financial Officer to make prudent financing arrangements for the transaction.

Councillor I.T.E. Harvey

To consider a report on the proposed redevelopment of Harper House.

Reason for exemption

This report contains exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006 Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in the bidding process for the site by allowing other bidders to know the position of the Council.  This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the bids process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to acquirea site through the Council for the prudent management of its financial affairs.

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Cabinet considered an exempt report on the redevelopment of Harper House.

Alternative options considered and rejected

1.    To progress with a major refurbishment of Harper House

2.    To not progress with demolition and rebuild; maintaining the existing use, carrying out repair and maintenance work as required; considering the future of the building by 2020.

Resolved to:

1.    recommend to Council to approve the supplementary capital programme provision of £2.6m for the full demolition and rebuild costs for Harper House;

2.    recommend Council to authorise the Chief Financial Officer to make prudent financing arrangements for the transaction;

3.    subject to Homes England funding being secured, approve the rebuild of Harper House as outlined in the report;

4.    authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement the redevelopment project, including any legal agreements required in order to receive grant funding from Homes England; and

5.    authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to transfer Harper House back to Council ownership in order to satisfy Homes England grant conditions.

Reasons for decision

To take advantage of a time-limited grant funding programme. To improve the quality of emergency accommodation within the Borough for vulnerable homeless households. To minimise risk of financial losses, legal challenge or reputational damage should the condition of the current building deteriorate.