Purpose

The decision seeks to delegate authority to the Assistant Director – Place (Property and Assets) to negotiate acquisitions in response to ongoing site conditions.

Decision

The Portfolio Holders for Communities and Neighbourhoods and Housing and Welfare:

1. authorise the acquisition of the residential property identified in the report on the terms described, in accordance with all enabling legislation;
2. note the potential need to acquire further privately owned residential properties to facilitate works and, the potential requirement to decant and permanently re-house Council tenants;
3. delegate authority to the Assistant Director – Property & Assets to take all decisions necessary to facilitate the acquisition of further properties in third party ownership (if necessary) within the affected area, including but not limited to:

(i)  agreeing acquisition terms, including purchase price;

(ii)  approval of compensation payments (statutory or otherwise), including home loss and disturbance payments;

1. delegate authority to the Assistant Director – Housing Services to take all decisions necessary to facilitate any decants or permanent re-housing including but not limited to:

(i)  awarding priority status for direct let awards/additional priority on the allocations scheme to tenants displaced.

(ii)  in conjunction with the Chief Legal Officer, the commencement of proceedings for any claim for possession of Council secure tenancies, if appropriate; and

1. delegate authority to the Chief Legal Officer to enter into all necessary agreements on behalf of the Council together with the permission to commence or defend any legal proceedings required to facilitate the above.