Report attached.

Notice of Key Cabinet Decision containing exempt information.

This Cabinet Report contains some appendices (A & B) which comprise exempt information which is not available for public inspection as they contain or relate to exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the local Government Act 1972. They are exempt because they refer to confidential information and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report Title: Havering Wates Regeneration Joint Venture Business Plan

Presented by: Councillor Graham Williamson, Cabinet Member for Development and Regeneration

Cabinet:

1.         Approved the Havering/Wates JV LLP Business Plan for 2026/27

2.         Delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Development and Regeneration, to enter into Pre-Construction Services Agreements (PCSAs), where appropriate, for relevant regeneration schemes once the necessary land, funding and planning requirements are in place. This will enable design development, surveys and contractor pricing to progress within approved budgets ahead of subsequent main contract awards

3.         Delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Development and Regeneration, to enter an overarching framework contract to facilitate early contractual arrangements necessary to support programme delivery.

4.         Delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Development and Regeneration, to enter a demolition contract for Phase 1 of the Farnham and Hilldene regeneration, where appropriate, within the approved budget and subject to completion of land assembly.

5.         Delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Resources and Cabinet Member for Development & Regeneration, to progress any land appropriation required to support delivery of the regeneration programme, including appropriation between the Housing Revenue Account and the General Fund for planning purposes, where appropriate. This delegation builds on prior Cabinet authority for land appropriation under the Havering and Wates Regeneration LLP Business Plan (Cabinet 12 February 2020 and Cabinet 8 February 2023).

6.         Delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Deputy Director of Legal Services, Strategic Director of Resources and Cabinet Member for Development & Regeneration, to agree terms and acquire all outstanding property interests required for the scheme, including progression of the proposed land swap with St Andrew’s Church Hall as set out in paragraph 2.3. This authority extends to acquisition by private treaty or, where necessary, through the approved Compulsory Purchase Order, and to taking all legal and procedural steps needed to secure vacant possession.

7.         Delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Resources and Cabinet Member for Development & Regeneration, to prepare, submit, accept, and utilise external grant-funding bids, and to enter into any related funding or forward-funding agreements required to support delivery of the Havering and Wates Regeneration LLP programme and the wider 12 Sites regeneration programme, provided such agreements remain within previously approved budgets.

8.         Noted the updated viability assessments and financial implications set out within the Havering and Wates Regeneration LLP Business Plan 2026/27, and delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Resources, to make adjustments within approved Cabinet budgets as required to maintain programme viability, with any material variances brought back to Cabinet for consideration.

9.         Noted that work on the later phases (i.e. beyond Work Package 2) is currently paused and likely to remain so over the next 12 months, as referenced in Paragraph 4 of this report