Meeting documents

SBDC Resources Policy Advisory Group
Tuesday, 26th September, 2017 6.00 pm

Minutes:

The PAG considered the interim development opportunity for temporary housing for use as emergency accommodation at Bath Road Depot.  It was currently vacant but had planning permission for employment use.  It was proposed to use units of modular construction for a 5 year period. If at the end of this the planning permission was not extended then they can be relocated to another site. The Project Manager and Contractor could be appointed under the Scape agreement to comply with procurement rules to avoid costly delays.  Consultations would be made with the Parish Councils.

 

Members fully supported the scheme in the context of being part of an approach to dealing with the homelessness issue referred to in the report earlier in the agenda.  Members considered that the project would be even more worthwhile if more than a 2 storey building could be accommodated on the site.  It was advised that it was uncertain whether development in the Green Belt would allow building greater than 2 storeys but the matter would be raised with Planning. The site was considered suitable as a sustainable location for housing, with shops and buses, close proximity to the train station and walking distance to Burnham Town Centre.

 

It was noted that a project group had been set up to expedite the matter.  It was advised that this comprised the Director of Services and the Portfolio Holders for Healthy Communities and Resources, with the assistance of Legal and Finance Officers.

 

The PAG agreed to support the proposal and looked forward to a further report once the figures were available.

 

 

 

Having considered the advice of the PAG, the Portfolio Holder AGREED to RECOMMEND to Cabinet

1

To agree the proposals to design, build and install temporary accommodation units at Bath Road Depot for a period of 5 years.

2

That, subject to contract, the Council purchases 801 Bath Road, Taplow and adjacent land, using money available from the approved capital programme and the Head of Environment in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and the Portfolio Holder for Resources be authorised to finalise the terms and conclude the purchase.

3

 

To note that Management Team has agreed an exception to the Contract Procedure Rules to appoint a Project Manager or other consultants through the Scape framework to undertake a feasibility study to design, build and install the temporary accommodation units at Bath Road Depot.

4

Subject to planning consent and the final business plan to delegate to the Head of Healthy Communities in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Healthy Communities and Resources the authority to proceed with the development of temporary units for use as emergency accommodation on the Bath Road Depot site including authority for the Head of Environment in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to negotiate and conclude any necessary agreements to allow the development to proceed through to completion..

5

To authorise the appointment of a Registered Provider to manage the emergency accommodation provided on the Bath Road site and any adjacent land for a period of up to 5 years on terms to be agreed by to the Head of Healthy Communities in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Healthy Communities and Resources.

6

To authorise the Director of Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities to draw down up to £2.7m of s106 funding to enable the Bath Road temporary housing project to progress.