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Agenda item
Town Living Project
(Susan Hanson, Housing Development Manager)
(Council Decision)
Decision:
That Cabinet recommends that Full Council approves:
1. to progress Phase 1 of the Town Living project;
2. to establish a capital budget of £1,037,615 (to be funded via the Town Fund programme) for the Town Living project;
3. to delegate authority to the Managing Director to complete Phase 1 of the Town Living project, including any associated procurement; and
4. to source a property/properties for Phase 2 of the Town Living project.
Minutes:
Councillor Carr was welcomed to ask questions. Councillor Car highlighted that the tenants have not been made aware of the plans set out in the report and requested an apology to the tenants.
Councillor Evans agreed an apology should be provided to the current tenants.
Andrew Palmer answered that the clients are in temporary accommodation with the aim to move them to permanent accommodation.
Andrew Palmer explained that this report is for phase one of the Town Living Project refurbishing and retrofitting the first property, which is a Council owned property currently used for temporary accommodation. The cost is around £794,000 at present and any remaining money would be used to help fund a second property as part of Stage 2. The point was made that there isn't a scheme until Full Council approves the capital funding for the project. It's not currently in the Council's capital program, so this will be a Full Council decision. There would also need to be planning permission secured and there will be necessary consultation undertaken as part of that process. The property is not in the greatest condition and will need some significant reinvestment. This would mean at some point the Council would need to spend a considerable amount of money on upgrading this property.
Training and employment opportunities would be created for whole house retrofitting and will be used as an example of how other properties can be successfully retrofitted as well.
The Housing Development Manager apologised that the clients currently living in the property had not been made aware of this report. It was explained that none of the works in the report will go ahead until Full Council approval and planning permission has been approved. The property will incur further costs for the Council later if this opportunity is not taken to use external funding.
Councillors asked officers that the clients are kept up to date at all stages. The Head of Strategic Programmes confirmed the communications on projects will be reviewed.
Councillors debated and recognised the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly housing. This will be an opportunity to create a template on how to retrofit the borough’s historical buildings.
Proposed by Councillor Evans and seconded by Councillor Rogers
That Cabinet recommends that Full Council approves:
1. to progress Phase 1 of the Town Living project;
2. to establish a capital budget of £1,037,615 (to be funded via the Town Fund programme) for the Town Living project;
3. to delegate authority to the Managing Director to complete Phase 1 of the Town Living project, including any associated procurement; and
4. to source a property/properties for Phase 2 of the Town Living project.
Reasons
1. The Hastings Town Fund Programme has awarded the Town Living project £1,037,615. Phase 1 has been awarded £794,000 which is the estimated cost of completing this phase.
2. The project will provide a best practice example of how to renovate and retrofit a listed building, increase the supply of permanent affordable housing in the town centre, support reductions in carbon emissions and energy costs and provide training and employment opportunities in whole house retrofitting.
3. A Council owned Grade II listed property will be fully restored, energy efficient and converted to Affordable Rent housing.
Supporting documents:
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