Purpose

To approve the High Street Rental Auction
Policy

Content

RESOLVED
 
KEY
DECISION
 
That
the Executive:
 

a)   
Endorsed the decision taken by the Leader under
Regulation 11 (Cases of Special Urgency) that has approved that the
Council sign up to the High Street Rental Auctions Early Adopter
initiative.
 

b)   
Noted that a further report will be brought to the
Executive detailing the High Street Rentals Auction Policy and next
steps for its implementation.
 
 
Reasons for Recommendations:

·      
It is recommended that the Council sign up to the
initiative as:

·      
It will add another tool to the Council’s work
to support regeneration in town centres and its corporate
objectives to create Safe & Thriving Places, by bringing vacant
properties back into use.

·      
There is no immediate financial impact on the
Council from taking part in the initiative nor legal penalty if it
were to withdraw from the initiative at a later date.

·      
The initiative will draw on the support of a number
of Council teams and expertise, creating a positive example of our
One Council approach and lead to a positive benefit locally for
residents.

·      
It presents the Council with an opportunity to be
part of spearheading the use of new legislative powers, and
inputting on how the HSRA guidance and process can be
improved.
 
Alternative Options Considered: An alternative would be for the
Council to not sign up to the initiative and consider the outcome
of other Council’s implementing the scheme across the
Country.
 
This
option is not recommended as:

·      
Signing up the initiative has no legal or financial
implication (these being fully considered in the proposed follow up
paper), and there is an opportunity for the Council to progress the
use of those new powers now and provide a positive benefit to North
Northants town centres.

·      
The proposed course of action set out in the paper
will enable the development of a policy and evidence base for the
Council to progress a HSRA in a way that focusses on those
locations where it will have the most beneficial impact.

·      
The process will draw on the expertise and skill set
of a number of teams to work collaboratively to bring forward
successful HSRAs. This builds on our One Council approach and
enables the Council to be part of spearheading the use of new
powers to support our town centres and residents. 
 
The
Council could also choose to sign up the initiative and take a
broader approach targeting multiple HSRAs and properties with them.
This would have a direct implication on resource need to establish
and manage the overall process. A more focussed approach is
recommended at this stage, with the option of broadening the use of
HSRAs to more towns considered as part of the next
report.