Issue - meetings

The Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet seeking approval of the budget for the design phase of a proposed hostel for the homeless on the White House site.  Redevelopment of the site would provide much needed hostel accommodation and assist the Council in meeting its statutory obligations under the Homeless Reduction Act 2017.

Resolved to approve the budget for the full design phase of a proposed new hostel for the homeless on the White House site.

Councillor I.T.E. Harvey

To consider a report on the budget for the White House Hostel design phase.

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 procurement of contracts by allowing other parties to know the position of the Council.  This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the procurement process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to place contracts 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 seeking approval of the budget for the design phase of a proposed hostel for the homeless on the White House site.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

1.    To do nothing

2.    To work with other providers on other solutions

Resolved:

1.    to recommend to Council approval of the budget for the full design design phase of a proposed new hostel for the homeless on the White House site;

2.    to authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement the redevelopment project; and

3.    to delegate the appointment of the advisors and design team to the Group Head of Regeneration and Growth in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Reason for Decision

Re-development of the site will provide much needed hostel accommodation for homeless residents within the Borough.  This will assist the Council in meeting its statutory obligations under the Homeless Reduction Act 2017 to meet this need.