Agenda item

This report is marked to follow because of the need to properly review and reflect the implications of a property transaction which is proposed for urgent inclusion in the report.

RESOLVED:

I.  That the scheme for Chief Executives as set out in section 11.1 be given approval as follows:

Stoke Newington Library Refurbishment: Spend approval of £4,400k in 2022/23 is requested to fund the refurbishment of this site.

II.  That the scheme for Climate, Homes & Economy as set out in section 11.2 be given approval as follows:

·  Highways Planned Maintenance 2022/23: Spend approval of £4,000k in 2022/23 is requested to continue to deliver the 2022/23 Planned Maintenance Highways Programme at various locations across the borough.

·  Highways Surface Water Drainage 2022/23: Spend approval of £280k in 2022/23 is requested to facilitate the delivery of the 2022/23 water drainage programme at various locations across the borough.

·  Planned Bridge Maintenance 2022/23: Spend approval of £300k in 2022/23 is requested for the continuation of the 5 year Bridge Maintenance Programme in the borough.

·  LED Lighting Highway 2022/23: Spend approval of £1,250k in 2022/23 is requested to continue the upgrade of the highway's lighting across the entire borough.

·  Street Lighting Upgrades 2022/23: Spend approval of £195k in 2022/23 is requested to upgrade the existing street lights located across the entire borough.

·  Developing Borough Infrastructure 2022/23: Spend approval of £600k in 2022/23 is requested to fund to improve the public realm in four identified sites namely Ridley Road Market, Fairchild Gardens and Spring Hill. 

·  Road Safety Programme 2022/23 & 2023/24: Spend approval of £772k (£400k in 2022/23 and £372k in 2023/24) is requested to fund the public realm improvement works on four identified roads namely Albion Road, Downham Road, Cricketfield Road and Pembury Road.

·  Electric Vehicles (EVs) Charging Points Roll Out Programme: Resource and spend approval of £893k (£112k in 2022/23, £223k in 2023/24, £223k in 2024/25, £223k in 2025/26 and £112k in 2026/27) is requested to fund the roll out programme of residential on-street Electric Vehicles (EVs) charging points across the borough.

III.  To approve the purchase of 2a Woodberry Grove, N4 1SN.

IV.  Delegated authority to the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to settle all the commercial terms of the transaction.

V.  Paid the stamp duty (SDLT) due on the purchase.

VI.  Authorised the Director of Legal and Governance Services to prepare, agree, settle and sign the necessary legal documentation to effect the proposals contained in this report and to enter into any other ancillary legal documentation as required.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The decisions required are necessary in order that the schemes within the Council’s approved Capital programme can be delivered and to approve the property proposals as set out in this report.

In most cases, resources have already been allocated to the schemes as part of the budget setting exercise but spending approval is required in order for the scheme to proceed. Where, however, resources have not previously been allocated, resource approval is requested in this report.

To facilitate financial management and control of the Council's finances.

Proposed Purchase of 2a Woodberry Grove, N4 1SN: As outlined within the report, there is a significant need to expand the stock of social housing in Hackney and retain as well as increase the provision of temporary accommodation.  As set out within Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996, the Council has a statutory duty to provide interim temporary accommodation to homeless households to whom it has a duty to provide permanent housing. Currently, meeting this statutory duty requires using expensive nightly let and/or spot purchased accommodation. The acquisition of the Hostel secures the continued provision of this vital accommodation.

Mayor Phillip Glanville introduced the report.

RESOLVED:

I.  That the scheme for Chief Executives as set out in section 11.1 be given approval as follows:

Stoke Newington Library Refurbishment: Spend approval of £4,400k in 2022/23 is requested to fund the refurbishment of this site.

II.  That the scheme for Climate, Homes & Economy as set out in section 11.2 be given approval as follows:

·  Highways Planned Maintenance 2022/23: Spend approval of £4,000k in 2022/23 is requested to continue to deliver the 2022/23 Planned Maintenance Highways Programme at various locations across the borough.

·  Highways Surface Water Drainage 2022/23: Spend approval of £280k in 2022/23 is requested to facilitate the delivery of the 2022/23 water drainage programme at various locations across the borough.

·  Planned Bridge Maintenance 2022/23: Spend approval of £300k in 2022/23 is requested for the continuation of the 5 year Bridge Maintenance Programme in the borough.

·  LED Lighting Highway 2022/23: Spend approval of £1,250k in 2022/23 is requested to continue the upgrade of the highway's lighting across the entire borough.

·  Street Lighting Upgrades 2022/23: Spend approval of £195k in 2022/23 is requested to upgrade the existing street lights located across the entire borough.

·  Developing Borough Infrastructure 2022/23: Spend approval of £600k in 2022/23 is requested to fund to improve the public realm in four identified sites namely Ridley Road Market, Fairchild Gardens and Spring Hill. 

·  Road Safety Programme 2022/23 & 2023/24: Spend approval of £772k (£400k in 2022/23 and £372k in 2023/24) is requested to fund the public realm improvement works on four identified roads namely Albion Road, Downham Road, Cricketfield Road and Pembury Road.

·  Electric Vehicles (EVs) Charging Points Roll Out Programme: Resource and spend approval of £893k (£112k in 2022/23, £223k in 2023/24, £223k in 2024/25, £223k in 2025/26 and £112k in 2026/27) is requested to fund the roll out programme of residential on-street Electric Vehicles (EVs) charging points across the borough.

III.  To approve the purchase of 2a Woodberry Grove, N4 1SN.

IV.  Delegated authority to the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to settle all the commercial terms of the transaction.

V.  Paid the stamp duty (SDLT) due on the purchase.

VI.  Authorised the Director of Legal and Governance Services to prepare, agree, settle and sign the necessary legal documentation to effect the proposals contained in this report and to enter into any other ancillary legal documentation as required.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The decisions required are necessary in order that the schemes within the Council’s approved Capital programme can be delivered and to approve the property proposals as set out in this report.

In most cases, resources have already been allocated to the schemes as part of the budget setting exercise but spending approval is required in order for the scheme to proceed. Where, however, resources have not previously been allocated, resource approval is requested in this report.

To facilitate financial management and control of the Council's finances.

Proposed Purchase of 2a Woodberry Grove, N4 1SN: As outlined within the report, there is a significant need to expand the stock of social housing in Hackney and retain as well as increase the provision of temporary accommodation.  As set out within Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996, the Council has a statutory duty to provide interim temporary accommodation to homeless households to whom it has a duty to provide permanent housing. Currently, meeting this statutory duty requires using expensive nightly let and/or spot purchased accommodation. The acquisition of the Hostel secures the continued provision of this vital accommodation.