Issue - meetings

The Council considered the recommendation of Cabinet at its meeting on 6 November 2019 to approve a supplementary capital estimate of £400,000 to increase the existing capital programme provision for the demolition and rebuild of Harper House.  This would enable the Council to take advantage of a time-limited grant funding programme, improve the quality and quantum of accommodation within the Borough for vulnerable homeless households and align the Council with the requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act.

Resolved to approve the supplementary capital estimate of £400,000.

Councillor M.M. Attewell

To consider an exempt report seeking approval of the costs for the demolition and rebuild of Harper House and make a recommendation to Council.

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 it would put the Authority at a competitive disadvantage to disclose the anticipated contract sum to the market prior to the tender submission and this may distort the tender process.

(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 costs for the redevelopment of Harper House.

A revised capital programme provision and an increased net financing cost was required as a result of the redesign of Harper House following feedback from Homes England.

Alternative options considered, and rejected, by the Cabinet:

·         Delay works

·         Do nothing

Resolved to:

1.            recommend to Council the approval of a supplementary estimate of increase in the existing capital programme provision of £400k for the demolition and rebuild of Harper House, for the reasons set out in the report, and in line with the Order of Costs Estimate in Appendix 1;

2.            authorise the Chief Financial Officer to make prudent financing arrangements for the project;

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; and

4.            authorise the Portfolio Holder for Community Wellbeing 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.

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 Homelessness Reduction Act.