Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2016, be agreed as a correct record.

Councillor Ryde, with Councillor Zinkin as substitute.

None.

The Committee received a representation from Lloyd Zokay, relating to agenda item 8 – Referral from Chipping Barnet Area Committee for a decision on options for dealing with 56 Bedford Avenue a Long Term Empty Property. This was dealt with under item 8.

The Committee received the referred petition and a representation from Lloyd Zokay. Mr Zokay was also allowed a further 3 minutes to make a public comment on the next item on the agenda, which related to this petition, as the two items were discussed in tandem.

RESOLVED that the petition be noted.

The Committee received the report and chose to discuss the matter and make the decision in public session and not refer to the separate exempt report.

RESOLVED that

1.    That the Committee note the information in the exempt report

2.    That in the event that sufficient progress is not made in renovating the property by March 2018 the Committee recommends that the Assets, Regeneration and Growth (ARG) Committee authorise the making ofa Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), under Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 in respect of the property identified in the exempt report

3.    That, subject to the authorisation for the making of the Compulsory Purchase Order referred to in recommendation 2 above, the Order be submitted to the Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government for consideration and confirmation.

4.    That, in the event of the Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government returning the Order for confirmation by the Council, the Order be confirmed on behalf of the Council.

5.    Following confirmation of the Order, that ARG Committee approves the entry into a Cross-Undertaking with the owner of the relevant property not to implement the Order on the condition that the owner agrees to bring their property back into use within a reasonable time.

6.    In the event that a Cross-Undertaking is not entered into as referred to in recommendation 5. above, or the terms of the Cross-Undertaking are not adhered to by the owner, to recommend that the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee delegates authority  to the Commissioning Director – Growth and Development to proceed with the compulsory acquisition of the property in question.

7.    That, following a compulsory acquisition of the property, an options paper on the onward disposal be brought to the Assets and Regeneration and Growth Committee for decision.

8.    That Housing Committee note that the financial costs of the Compulsory Purchase Order would be funded through the approved Capital Programme.

The Committee received the report and chose to debate the matter and make the decision in public session and not to refer to the exempt report.

RESOLVED that

1          the Committee recommends the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee to authorise the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order, under Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981, in respect of the property identified as ‘a’ in the exempt report.

2          That, subject to the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee authorising the making of the Compulsory Purchase Order referred to in recommendation 1 above, the Order be submitted to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for consideration and confirmation.

3          That, in the event of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government returning any of the Order for confirmation by the Council, the Commissioning Director – Growth and Development be authorised to confirm the Order.

4          Following confirmation of any of the Order, to authorise the Commissioning Director to enter into a cross-undertaking with the owner(s) of the relevant property not to implement the Order on the condition that the owner(s) agree to bring their property back into use within a reasonable time.

5          In the event that a cross-undertaking is not entered into as referred to in recommendation 1.5 above, or the terms of the cross-undertaking is not adhered to by the owner, to recommend that the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee authorises the Commissioning Director to proceed with the compulsory acquisition of the property in question.

6          Following a compulsory acquisition of the property ‘a’, an options paper on the onward disposal will be brought back to the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee for a decision.

7          To note that the financial costs of the CPO will be funded through the currently approved capital programme.

The Committee received the following items:

The Committee received the report.

A vote was taken on this matter with regard to approving the recommendations:

For: 5

Against: 0

Abstained: 4

RESOLVED that

1.            That the Committee approve the proposed rent decrease in line with Government policy for existing Council tenants as set out in paragraph 1.6 to take effect from 1 April 2017;

2.            That the Committee approves the proposed increases in service charges as set out in paragraph 1.8 to take effect from 1 April 2017.

3.            That the Committee approves the introduction of a new service charge for door entry-phone systems installed from 1 April 2017 as set out in paragraph 1.11

The LABOUR GROUP LEFT THE MEETING AT 7.34PM PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER.

The Committee received the report.

RESOLVED the proposed fees and charges, as set out in Appendix A of the report, be approved.

RESOLVED that the work programme be noted, subject to the addition of the Key Worker Housing report for the next meeting.

This matter had already been dealt with in public session.

This matter had already been dealt with in public session.

None.