Decision details

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.