Issue - meetings

     (Copy herewith)

2.1         Cabinet:

a)    Noted the intention of Northampton Partnership Homes, to relocate from the Westbridge Depot site, to the Newton Building to release the depot for appropriate uses, noting that the Newton Building provides more suitable office accommodation for the Council’s Housing delivery partner.

b)    Noted that the Acting Director for Economy and Assets has delegated authority within the constitution to agree commercial terms for leases for less than 21 years, the Heads Of Terms will therefore be progressed using the usual constitutional process, with both sides having legal representation in addition to full consultation with West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) S.151 Officer.

c)    Noted that the Acting Director of Economy and Assets will consultthe Director of Housing and Wellbeing, the Chief Finance Officer, the Borough Secretary, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing, before exercising the delegation referred to in recommendation b above.

d)    Noted that if the lease cannot be concluded by the 1^st April 2021 then this work will need to be concluded by the new West Northamptonshire Council through their governance processes.

e)    Agreed to receive further reports in connection with the use of the Newton Building as part of a regular Capital Project Management updates.

Councillor Hadland as the relevant Cabinet Member presented the report updating Cabinet on the plans for the Newton Building, following the decision to purchase Avenue Campus.  The Newton Building had previously been a school.  Northampton Partnership Homes were currently using accommodation which was not fit for purpose and a move to the Newton Building with a conventional commercial lease would be a positive step.

Councillor Hadland noted that recommendation c) required an amendment of his title to Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise (not Economy and Assets).

Councillor Larratt requested that the interior of the Newton Building be retained and looked after.  It was a Grade II listed building which included a panelled library and hall.

Cabinet deferred the decision on this item until after discussion of the exempt Appendix B in private session. After reconvening, the following decision was then made in public.

RESOLVED:

2.1         Cabinet:

a)    Noted the intention of Northampton Partnership Homes, to relocate from the Westbridge Depot site, to the Newton Building to release the depot for appropriate uses, noting that the Newton Building provides more suitable office accommodation for the Council’s Housing delivery partner.

b)    Noted that the Acting Director for Economy and Assets has delegated authority within the constitution to agree commercial terms for leases for less than 21 years, the Heads Of Terms will therefore be progressed using the usual constitutional process, with both sides having legal representation in addition to full consultation with West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) S.151 Officer.

c)    Noted that the Acting Director of Economy and Assets will consultthe Director of Housing and Wellbeing, the Chief Finance Officer, the Borough Secretary, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing, before exercising the delegation referred to in recommendation b above.

d)    Noted that if the lease cannot be concluded by the 1^st April 2021 then this work will need to be concluded by the new West Northamptonshire Council through their governance processes.

e)    Agreed to receive further reports in connection with the use of the Newton Building as part of a regular Capital Project Management updates.