Decision details

1.          That the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration approved the revision of the existing leaseholder engagement agency agreement for Ebury and Tollgate estates with Westminster Community Homes (WCH) to:

a.   Widen the scope of the agreement to cover all current housing renewal areas by including Church Street.

b.   Provide WCH with funding to acquire property interests in renewal areas sold without vacant possession

2.        That the Cabinet Member for Finance, :Property and Regeneration approved the funding of WCH in any existing or future acquisition of properties within renewal areas and the eight blocks in Church Street where the properties are tenanted and the tenants are protected by Assured Shorthold Tenancies.

3.        That the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration delegated authority to the Executive Director of Growth, Planning and Housing to acquire any properties in renewal areas that have been negotiated by WCH and can be sold with vacant possession.

4.         That the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration delegated authority to the Executive Director of Growth, Planning and Housing to take transfers of any properties that have been acquired by WCH under decision 2. above and are subsequently capable of being transferred with vacant possession.

5.         That the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration delegated authority to the Executive Director of Growth, Planning and Housing to acquire any leasehold interests in the eight blocks known as Blackwater, Eden, Colne, Darent, Derry, Isis, Windrush and Mole Houses (the “Eight Blocks”) at open market value with the addition of home loss and disturbance payments to the eligible leaseholders within the blocks.

6.         That the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration noted that a delegated authority will follow requesting approval for the Executive Director of Growth Planning and Housing to make all-necessary arrangements to make use of any acquired Church Street properties in the short to medium term.                                                                                                         

Reasons for Decision

The approval requested in this report to appoint WCH as the leaseholder engagement agent will further facilitate the acquisition of leasehold interests across Church Street and all future Westminster City Council housing Renewal Areas.