home - committee - volume - faq's - help -search - meeting - previous - next

V28-567 : ST PETER'S COURT, LOWESTOFT

The report of the Corporate Director (Community Services) reminded members that following the refurbishment costs of St Peter's Court being estimated at between £2.5m and £3.0m, the Council had resolved at minute V26-777 to seek transfer of the building to a Housing Association.

Since then there had been changes affecting that decision, and it was therefore felt that the Council may wish to reconsider its decision regarding the future of St Peter's Court. The report outlined the changes which members should take into account, which included the average cost of re-furbishing sheltered houses now being comparable to the average cost of refurbishment of St Peter's Court, more resources being available for the Housing Investment Programme and transfer costs no longer being zero, but requiring significant resources.

Four options were identified. Accepting the current proposal would include a subsidy in cash or property and additional land and garages around St Peter's Court. 50% of tenants would also have to agree to the proposal, and the Secretary of State's approval to the transfer would need to be obtained. Seeking other proposals would incur additional costs and delay. Refurbishment would have an impact on the limited resources of the Housing Investment Programme, and vacation and disposal would cause relocation difficulties as well as demolition costs and the cost of repurchasing the leaseholds. Members were asked to re-assess the impact of including the refurbishment of St Peter's Court in the Housing Investment Programme.

Members were minded to reassess the decision, and asked that the report to the next meeting of the Panel include detailed costings on all works to be carried out to St Peter's Court, costings for each of the options before members including impacts on the Housing Revenue Account, and all information which would be necessary to make a decision.

RESOLVED

That the impact of including the refurbishment of St Peter's Court in the Housing Investment Programme be reassessed.

(Councillor Ford declared an interest in the above item, but claimed the Secretary of State's Dispensation in Department of the Environment Circular 16/92 Appendix 1 for Tenants of Unfurnished Accommodation that allowed her to speak and vote).


Volume 28 Minute 567

powered by Oultwood Web Technology

© Waveney District Council