Purpose

A
report to update Cabinet as to progress with the scheme to remodel
Buxton House high-rise block, Huddersfield. It seeks authority from
Cabinet to acquire key interests including the headlease and
sublease interests relating to a property at Buxton House, Buxton
Way and Albion Street to facilitate the remodelling
scheme.
 
In
addition, Cabinet authority is sought to begin the process leading
to the Council making a Compulsory Purchase Order (“CPO"), in
tandem with negotiating the acquisition of land interests, as a
contingency measure.
 
Background papers: Previous Cabinet decision, 21 December 2022. Link to agenda,
report and decision:
 

Decision - To consider the outcome of Tenant and
Leaseholder consultation and Proposals on the future of four of the
Council's high-rise blocks - Bishop's Court, Holme Park Court at
Berry Brow and Buxton House and Harold Wilson Court to improve fire
safety | Kirklees Council
 
Engagement:
Tenants of Buxton House and
external stakeholders such as the West Yorkshire Fire Service and
West Yorkshire Police Police were consulted on concept designs for
the proposed remodelling scheme in August 2023.
 
Stakeholder feedback has been
supportive of new proposals, and existing tenants have expressed an
interest in returning to the remodelled scheme.

 
The proposed scheme reflects the main issues
arising from this consultation period.
 
Consultation:
The Tenant Voice Panel is to be
consulted on the 28th February 2024.
 
The Homes & Neighbourhoods
Improvement Board will have considered the proposals on the
13th February, and Board comments will be reported to
Cabinet.
 

Content

RESOLVED –
 

1)   
That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director Growth and
Regeneration to negotiate and agree terms to acquire the interests
and rights identified in paragraph 2.10 of the report and as within
the terms outlined in the Private Appendix.

2)   
That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director Growth and
Regeneration to negotiate and agree terms to acquire any further
interests or rights subsequently identified which are required to
deliver the remodel of Buxton House, provided that the values are
within those contained in the Scheme of Delegation for Corporate
Landlord & Capital, and that the cost of such could be met
within the allocated project budget.

3)   
That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Growth and
Regeneration to take the necessary preliminary steps required for
the Council to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (“CPO”)
including:-
           
(i)           
The service of statutory requisitions for information from
owners/occupiers of land within the proposed CPO area.
(ii)         
Instructing land referencing agents to begin liaising with affected
landowners/occupiers and to identify the full extent of the land
required (either to be acquired permanently or temporarily) and any
rights to be acquired as part of the CPO (e.g. rights of way,
light, support, easement, or restrictive covenants over the land
required as required).

 

4)   
That authority be delegated to the Service Director Legal
Governance and Commissioning to finalise and enter into all
appropriate contracts, deeds and documents required.

5)   
That should it prove necessary to make a CPO, a further report
would be brought for consideration.

6)   
That it be noted the acquisition of
required land interests, and any potential CPO process will be
funded from the high-rise budget approved by Cabinet on the 27 July
2021.