Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommmend Forward to Council

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: September 27, 2023

Purpose: The report seeks approval to acquire affordable housing opportunities from the market, to be funded from the HRA Acquisitions Budget for Crawley Homes ownership.

Content: Exempt Paragraph 3 - Information relating to financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) RESOLVED That the Cabinet: a)     Agrees that the acquisition methods, listed in Section 5.1 of report CH/201, be made available to relevant officers to maximise the Council’s opportunity to purchase land and housing schemes for affordable housing delivery purposes, and that the Full Council be requested to delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Head of Corporate Finance, the Leader of the Council and the Chair of the Governance Committee that the Constitution (and its associated documents) be updated accordingly.   b)     Agrees to proceed with the acquisition of the off-plan ‘turnkey’ purchase as referenced in Section 5.2 of report CH/201, subject to satisfactory due diligence and procurement compliance and budget availability.   c)      Agrees to proceed with the land acquisition as referenced in Section 5.3 of report CH/201, subject to satisfactory due diligence and procurement compliance and budget availability.   d)     That, subject to recommendations (b) and (c) being approved, delegates authority to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Head of Strategic Housing/Head of Crawley Homes (as appropriate), Head of Governance, People & Performance to approve the award of the contract (including a procurement process if necessary).   e)     That, subject to recommendations (b) and (c) being approved, delegates the negotiation, approval (including a procurement process if necessary) and completion of all relevant legal documentation to secure additional affordable housing for the acquisitions identified in Sections 5.2 and 5.3 of report CH/201 to the Head of Crawley Homes/Head of Strategic Housing (as appropriate), Head of Corporate Finance and Head of Governance, People & Performance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Housing. (Generic Delegations 2 & 3 will be used to enact this recommendation). Reasons for the Recommendations   The Council has an active housing delivery programme aimed at addressing the pressing need for affordable housing in the borough, where Crawley has a limited land supply, and opportunities need to be explored from across the market, which may arise in a range of different forms, and Officers require the authority to explore viable options that may arise, and to proceed into contract when appropriate, following the necessary consultation.