Issue - meetings

Councillor I.T.E. Harvey

To consider an exempt report on the construction budget required for the White House Hostel development.

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).

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 a capital spend for the construction budget to provide a 31 bedroom hostel and facilities for severe weather emergency accommodation for the homeless.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

·         To do nothing

·         To delay works

Resolved to:

1.            Approve the capital spend as set out in the cost plan in Appendix 2to the report;

2.            Authorise the Chief Financial Officer to make prudent financing arrangements for the transaction, should Homes England grant funding fall below the threshold specified in the report;

3.            Authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement this construction project, including any legal agreements required in order to receive grant funding from Homes England;

4.            Authorise the Portfolio Holder and Group Head for Regeneration and Growth to authorise the appointment of a suitable contractor to undertake these works.

Reasons for decision

·         To take advantage of a time-limited grant funding programme which requires completion of the hostel by 31 March 2021.

·         To improve the quality and quantum of accommodation within the Borough for vulnerable homeless households.

·         To align Spelthorne Borough Council with the requirements of the Homeless Reduction Act.