Issue - meetings

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

1.   That the Strategic Director for City Housing be authorised to negotiate terms for the acquisition of the property 55 Rooker Avenue, Ettingshall, Wolverhampton 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 be approved, with subsequent capital receipts being recycled within the Empty Property Strategy programme.

3.   That in the event that the property is improved and re-occupied to the satisfaction of the Strategic Director for City Housing, the property be withdrawn from the CPO.

4.   That following any acquisition, the Strategic Director for City Housing be authorised to dispose of the property on the open market on condition that the property is refurbished and re-occupied within 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 Peter Bilson presented the first of three similar reports seeking approval to authorise the acquisition of properties by negotiation or by the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order. The decisions were all consistent with the Council’s Empty Properties Strategy which aimed to bring long term empty properties back into use.

The property 55 Rooker Avenue, Ettingshall had been empty since February 2014. Attempts to resolve the situation informally with the parties known to have an interest in the property had not resolved the situation or brought about a voluntary solution.  It was now considered necessary to continue with formal action under the Empty Property Strategy.

Resolved:

1.     That the Strategic Director for City Housing be authorised to negotiate terms for the acquisition of the property 55 Rooker Avenue, Ettingshall, Wolverhampton 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 be approved, with subsequent capital receipts being recycled within the Empty Property Strategy programme.

3.     That in the event that the property is improved and re-occupied to the satisfaction of the Strategic Director for City Housing, the property be withdrawn from the CPO.

4.     That following any acquisition, the Strategic Director for City Housing be authorised to dispose of the property on the open market on condition that the property is refurbished and re-occupied within 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.