Decisions

1.1     That the report be exempt from disclosure by virtue of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, Part 1, paragraph 3, in that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

1.2     That in compliance with the Council’s financial regulations the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration, Business and Economic Development approved the revised capital cost for the scheme.

1.1     Additional funding is required in order to deliver the necessary heating works at Ingestre Court.

1.2      These are essential works as the existing in-flat hot water storage units, pipe work and radiators together with the block pipework, water storage tanks and control systems have reached the end of their serviceable design lives, and have deteriorated beyond economical repair. The works will ensure a reliable heating and hot water service for residents.

1.3     The installation of the replacement domestic heating and hot water units, communal distribution pipe work, water tanks, pumps and controls are required in order to meet the decent homes standard, to preserve the asset value, comply with technical standards and to fulfil WCC's obligation to keep buildings in substantial repair/condition and in order to meet residents’ expectations.

1.1     That the report be exempt from disclosure by virtue of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, Part 1, paragraph 3, in that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

1.2            That the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration, Business and Economic Development:

Approved the use of upto £12.5m provided from the Council’s Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to support the £30 million cash reserves previously agreed for the purchase of approximately 50 individual units of 2-bedroomed and 3-bedroomed properties within Westminster for use as Temporary Accommodation. This will increase the budget to £42.5m. This will include a contribution of up to £250K per property from the AHF at a maximum cost of £550K per property

1.3     Delegates authority to effect individual purchases to the Executive Director of Growth, Planning and Housing.

3.1     This decision is necessary in order to fulfil the Council’s statutory duties to house persons who are defined as homeless under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and reduce the costs of fulfilling that duty.

3.2     Increasing the level of Affordable Housing Fund contribution per property will increase the number of TA properties that can be purchased in Westminster at a time of increased demand and provide properties available at rents affordable to households on benefits.

3.3     To date under the direct purchase scheme we have considered over 100 properties,  offers have been made on over 86 properties, accepted on 59 of which 27 (25 completions and 2 exchanged) have progressed to completion and 22 were ceased due to issues with the properties; in line with the original report officers have reviewed the operation of the scheme and will continue to work towards the purchase of total of 150 properties to be completed by September 2015 (with 60 by April 2015); however analysis of the property market in Westminster highlights that very few properties are available to purchase at £300K (and this has meant that no properties have been purchased in borough to date through the scheme. This analysis however shows that there are currently over 70 2 and 3 bedroom properties available for purchase at £550K or less within Westminster.

1.1      That approval be given for the design and implementation of the proposed public realm improvements as described in paragraph 4.7 and shown on the drawing 11677201-02-GA-02 REV C included in Appendix A.

1.2      That approval be given for the capital expenditure of £282,000 necessary to carry out detailed design and implement the scheme. All costs will be met by Shaftesbury Plc through a section 278 agreement.

1.3      That approval be given for the advertising and making of traffic regulation orders under sections 6 and 45 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 necessary to accommodate the public realm improvements as set out in paragraph 4.7 and Appendix A, in accordance with the details and Statement of Reasons attached as Appendix B.

1.4           That delegated authority be given to the City Commissioner of Transportation to consider any representations on traffic regulation orders and decide whether to make the orders with or without modifications and to approve minor modifications to the approved scheme and final detailed design, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and the Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Parking.

1.1           The existing physical environment in Wellington Street and surrounding streets is facing increasing demands in terms of pedestrian access.  The area forms part of the walking corridor from Covent Garden to the South Bank and is therefore one of the priority schemes for the City Council and TfL. These improvements, particularly the widening of the footways and the decluttering of the area (especially the eastern section of Russell Street) will result in improved pedestrian safety and accessibility.

1.2           Since the adoption of the Covent Garden Action Plan in 2004, the City Council has been committed to working with local stakeholders and landowners to improve Covent Garden.  In the last 10 years there has been significant investment in the area, largely made possible by working with our partners.  The proposed improvements continue the good work representing another £282,000 of investment in the City’s streets without impacting on City Council budgets.

1.3           This represents the second phase of works in this location and continues improvements already made to the junction of Russell Street and Bow Street/Wellington Street immediately adjacent to this scheme.