Issue - meetings

[To approve the acquisition of the privately owned property by agreement or compulsory purchase]

1.      That the Director of City Environment be authorised to negotiate terms for the acquisition of the property 91 Griffiths Drive, Wolverhampton, WV11 2JW and, in default of that acquisition, give authority for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to be made under Part II Section 17 Housing Act 1985 in respect of the property.

2.      That expenditure for the potential acquisition of the property, with subsequent capital receipts being recycled within the Empty Property Strategy programme be approved.

3.      That in the event that the property is improved and re-occupied to the satisfaction of the Director of City Environment, the withdrawal of the property from the CPO be authorised.

4.      That following any acquisition, the Director of City Environment be authorised to dispose of the property on the open market on condition that the property is refurbished and re-occupied with in six or 12 months (as appropriate to the scale of the works).

5.      That the Director of Governance be authorised to:

a.         Take all reasonable steps as soon as it is reasonably practical to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO including the publication and service of all Notices and the presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry.

b.         Approve agreements with the owners of the property setting out the terms for the withdrawal of objections to the CPO, and/or making arrangements for re-housing or relocation of any occupiers.

c.          Approve the making of a General Vesting Declaration (the property is brought into Council ownership via this process).

d.         Approve the disposal of the whole and/ or parts of the property by auction, tender or private treaty. 

Councillor Jacqueline Sweetman presented the report on a proposal for the Council to acquire through negotiation or compulsory purchase, 91 Griffiths Drive, Wolverhampton. The property had been listed as awaiting probate since 2017 and offers of assistance to move matters forward voluntarily had not been progressed by the beneficiaries of the estate. A Notice requiring the estate to remedy the detrimental effect of the property had also not been fully complied with.  The proposal was in support of the Council’s Empty Property Strategy which aimed to bring long term empty properties back into use.

Resolved:

1.    That the Director of City Environment be authorised to negotiate terms for the acquisition of the property 91 Griffiths Drive, Wolverhampton, WV11 2JW and, in default of that acquisition, give authority for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to be made under Part II Section 17 Housing Act 1985 in respect of the property.

2.    That expenditure for the potential acquisition of the property, with subsequent capital receipts being recycled within the Empty Property Strategy programme be approved.

3.    That in the event that the property is improved and re-occupied to the satisfaction of the Director of City Environment, the withdrawal of the property from the CPO be authorised.

4.    That following any acquisition, the Director of City Environment be authorised to dispose of the property on the open market on condition that the property is refurbished and re-occupied with in six or 12 months (as appropriate to the scale of the works).

5.    That the Director of Governance be authorised to:

a.      Take all reasonable steps as soon as it is reasonably practical to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO including the publication and service of all Notices and the presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry.

b.      Approve agreements with the owners of the property setting out the terms for the withdrawal of objections to the CPO, and/or making arrangements for re-housing or relocation of any occupiers.

c.      Approve the making of a General Vesting Declaration (the property is brought into Council ownership via this process).

d.      Approve the disposal of the whole and/ or parts of the property by auction, tender or private treaty.