Purpose

The Cabinet will receive an
update on the progress and budget forecasts for the approved Estate
Renewal programme at Gascoigne East Phase 4 and will be asked to
approve the front funding of vital demolition to mitigate security
and other associated costs related to holding the empty blocks and
re-affirm previous approvals for the use of the Council’s CPO
powers.

Content

Cabinet resolved to:
 
(i)  Approve the
provision of continued budget from the Housing Capital Programme
forecast at £4.4m to close out the programme, as detailed in
section 4 of the report;
 
(ii)  Note the ongoing
actions to relocate tenants and leaseholders from the last
remaining high-rise blocks followed by the relocation of the
remaining tenants and leaseholders in the rest of the Phase 4
properties;
 
(iii)  Re-confirm the approval
given by Cabinet under Minute 106 (iii) (20 April 2021) for the use
by the Council of its Compulsory Purchase Order making powers
pursuant to Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 (as amended) for the
acquisition of leasehold interests in relevant properties, for the
purposes of securing land to facilitate the redevelopment of those
areas; and
 
(iv)  Approve a front-funding
budget of £6,000,000 from the Housing Capital Programme to
complete the demolition of the empty high-rise blocks (Fiske Court,
Oban House, Tasker House and Crispe
House) followed by the demolition of Earlsdown House once fully empty.