NOTE: The deadline for receipt of all amendments to reports including nominations relating to the report at agenda item 12 is midnight, Monday 21 January.

Report attached.

Report agreed without division.

A report of Cabinet recommended the purchase of all residential properties in the Bridge Close area not already in Council or Joint Venture public ownership and that these be acquitted in accordance with the terms of the Joint Venture legal agreement signed in April 2018. This required the agreement by Council of an adjustment to the HRA Capital Programme to provide sufficient funding for the council to acquire the privately owned residential properties through private treaty.

The report was AGREED without division.

RESOLVED:

That Council agree to include sufficient financial provision as set out in Appendix A of the report to Cabinet on 29 November 2018 to enable the private treaty purchase of the 23 residential properties on Waterloo Road and Oldchurch Road, Romford.

Cabinet:

• Agreed to the Council entering into direct negotiations with landowners to purchase up to 23 residential properties on Waterloo Road and Oldchurch Road, Romford through private treaty.

• Agreed to delegate to the Director of Regeneration authority to take all necessary steps to enable and complete the acquisitions outlined in Resolution 1 above following consultation with the Director of Finance; that includes the authority to approve the terms to enable of the acquisition by private treaty, any financial arrangements for relocation of current land owners or tenants, completion of relevant agreements and appointments of relevant professionals.

• Agreed following agreement on resolutions 1 and 2 above to agree to recommend to Council to include sufficient financial provision as set out in Appendix A, to enable the private treaty purchase of the 23 residential properties on Waterloo Road and Oldchurch Road, Romford.

• Noted that the transfer of the properties acquired via this Cabinet decision may be transferred to the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP in accordance with the terms set out in the Land Acquisition Strategy, the Land Agreement and the Members Agreement. 

Councillor Damian White, Leader of the Council, introduced the report.

The Bridge Close redevelopment area includes residential properties, which front onto Waterloo Road and Oldchurch Road. These are owned by the Council, the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP (the Joint Venture) and private owners.

The report proposed that the Council seek  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22