Purpose

Update on next steps for Walbrook House

Decision

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to:

      I.         Agree that refurbishment is no longer a viable option for Walbrook House, having regard to the building's structural limitations, increasing refurbishment costs, ongoing Building Safety Act obligations, regulatory requirements and the limited extension to the building's lifespan that refurbishment would achieve.

    II.         Agree to the demolition of Walbrook House and the commencement of demolition as soon as vacant possession, funding and the necessary approvals are in place.

   III.         Note the progress made in securing vacant possession of Walbrook House and the progress made in acquiring leaseholder interests.

  IV.         Agree to use Compulsory Purchase Order powers, noting the draft Statement of Reasons included within the appendices to this report.

    V.         Approve the making of the Order (draft Order and Schedule included at Appendix 1) to acquire all property and third-party rights within the land edged red on the Order Map (draft Order Map included at Appendix 2), comprising Walbrook House, for housing purposes pursuant to the powers contained in section 17 of the Housing Act 1985. The Order will enable the Council to decommission and demolish the block due to the safety concerns and thereafter to consider future options to provide new housing, so as to achieve at least a qualitative housing gain following confirmation of the Order.

  VI.         Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance as follows:

a)    To make all necessary changes, as appropriate to the draft Statement of Reasons (included at Appendix 3) and any adjustment to the Order Schedule and Order Map and take all necessary steps to make, serve and implement the Order, to pursue its confirmation by the Inspector, Secretary of State (or the Council) and to implement the Order as may be necessary (these steps are set out in sections 34 to 41 of this report);

b)    To finalise and confirm the Order documents prior to making the Order;

c)    To make General Vesting Declarations (GVDs) under the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 and/or to serve notices to treat and notices of entry (if required) following confirmation of the Order;

d)    To issue and serve any warrants to obtain possession of property acquired by the Council following the execution of a GVD or service of a notice of entry relating to the Order if it is considered appropriate and necessary to do so;

e)    To acquire third party interests in the land within the Order either by agreement or if necessary compulsorily

VII.         Approve the budget items set out as required for the enactment of the CPO.

VIII.         Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Technology to undertake any relevant consultation on the Estate and consider the feedback ahead of progressing with the development proposals.