James Smith

...to recommend to Council the establishment of a capital budget and authorize the Director of Communities and Opportunities to conclude the acquisition of land from Vistry Group Limited and enter into a Land and Development Agreement to appoint them as the development partner for the Harlestone Road affordable housing scheme.

...to facilitate the letting of vacant town centre and high street units, the Cabinet endorsed a structured approach to using powers under Part 10 of the Levelling up and Regeneration Act 2023, aiming to revitalize these areas while minimizing costs, risks, and interference with the property market.

...the West Northamptonshire Council Estates Strategy, as detailed in the report and Appendix 1, was approved.

...to address financial challenges in three large housing projects, the Cabinet approved a new delivery strategy for Avenue Campus involving land disposals and infrastructure contracts, noted the acceptance of a Brownfield Land Release Fund grant, authorized utility procurement for Bassett-Lowke Hall and infrastructure works, noted the use of funds for these works and a revised planning application, noted the use of funds for design work at Roof Gardens, noted Belgrave House's inclusion in the Greyfriars project, and acknowledged that fewer affordable homes would be delivered, impacting the HRA's capacity for future council homes.

...the Cabinet noted the 2024-25 annual reports on Landlord Services and Complaints, including Tenant Satisfaction Measures and a self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman Complaints Handling Code, highlighting areas of improvement and ongoing challenges in housing stock management.