Issue - meetings

The Council is requested to note the urgent decision taken.

The Chairman explained that the Council is requested to note the urgent decision taken relating to increasing the provision of the Council’s Temporary Accommodation at Freeland Close, Chichester which could be found on page 29 of the agenda pack.

On behalf of the Council the Chairman formally noted the decision.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its appendix and make the following resolutions as set out below:

1.     That an order is placed with Southern Gas Network (SGN) for the relocation of the gas pipeline, shown in Appendix 1.

2.     That Cabinet approves the allocation of up to £120,000 from the Housing Investment Reserve to meet the cost of this work, subject to the urgency procedure (as set out in para 5.2).

3.     That delegated authority is given to the Director of Housing and Communities to make changes to the Project Initiation Document (PID), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to accommodate approval of a final design and submission of a planning application.

4.     That members note the delay in the programme as set out in section 5.4 of the report.

If recommendation 2 is approved the Cabinet is then requested to make the following recommendation to Council as set out below:

That the urgent decision for Cabinet to approve the allocation of up to £120,000 from the Housing Investment Reserve to meet the cost of this work be noted.

*RESOLVED

1.     That an order is placed with Southern Gas Network (SGN) for the relocation of the gas pipeline, shown in Appendix 1.

2.     That Cabinet approves the allocation of up to £120,000 from the Housing Investment Reserve to meet the costs of this work, subject to the urgency procedure (as set out in para 5.2 of the report).

3.     That delegated authority is given to the Director of Housing and Communities to make changes to the Project Initiation Document (PID), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to accommodate approval of a final design and submission of planning application.

4.     That members note the delay in the programme as set out in section 5.4 of the report.

RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL

That the urgent decision for Cabinet to approve the allocation of up to £120,000 from the Housing Investment Reserve to meet the cost of this work be noted.

Mrs Graves introduced the item. She explained that in late 2016 a single storey building at Freeland Close was offered to the council for purchase. The Cabinet approved the purchase in March 2017. The council’s temporary accommodation needs have increased over recent years resulting in a full options appraisal of the site. In December 2019 the Cabinet agreed the Project Initiation Document (PID) for redevelopment of the site to expand the accommodation offer. Subsequently it has become necessary to move a gas main through the site in order to complete the works. The decision to place the order would usually be taken by Full Council however Full Council does not sit until 26 November 2019 by which time the project would be substantially delayed. Therefore, the urgency procedure has been applied in order to continue the project without undue delay.

With reference to section 3.1 of the report Mrs Taylor requested information on what happens next to residents placed in bed and breakfast accommodation after the initial six week period. Mrs Grange explained that the council will try to move residents into Westward House or other suitable accommodation wherever possible.

Mr Wilding asked whether the works would cause disruption to the gas supply. Mrs Grange explained that the works would be carried out by the Southern Gas Network who would seek to minimise the disruption caused.

Decision

The Cabinet then voted unanimously to make the resolutions and recommendation below.

RESOLVED

1.    That an order is placed with Southern Gas Network (SGN) for the relocation of the gas pipeline, shown in Appendix 1.

2.    That Cabinet approves the allocation of up to £120,000 from the Housing Investment Reserve to meet the costs of this work, subject to the urgency procedure (as set out in para 5.2 of the report).

3.    That delegated authority is given to the Director of Housing and Communities to make changes to the Project Initiation Document (PID), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to accommodate approval of a final design and submission of planning application.

4.    That members note the delay in the programme as set out in section 5.4 of the report.

RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL

That the urgent decision for Cabinet to approve the allocation of up to £120,000 from the Housing Investment Reserve to meet the cost of this work be noted.