Decision details

That further to the receipt of Lancashire Regeneration Property Partnership’s Stage 2 report regarding the redevelopment proposals for St. Leonard’s House, Cabinet agrees the way forward in line with the options detailed within this report.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Resources) which provided detail on the outcome of the Stage 2 development proposals for St Leonard’s House and sought a decision to proceed to the next stage of the redevelopment and regeneration process.

The first part of the report was public whereas the remainder of the report including the options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3, of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Since publication of the report, further legal advice had been received and the Chief Officer outlined the implications that this had on the Officer preferred options and recommendations.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

“(1)       That Cabinet notes the findings of the ‘Stage 2’ report and supports in principle  the proposed redevelopment of St. Leonard’s House, potentially as student accommodation.

(2)             That Cabinet authorises Officers to negotiate with strategic partners on a potential transfer of ownership, based on Option 2 of the report and in parallel, to protect the Council’s position, Cabinet authorises Officers to undertake wider soft market testing based on Option 4 including adjacent property owners.

(3)             That Officers report back to Cabinet on the outcome of negotiations and any market testing, in order for Cabinet to reach its final decisions on the proposals.

(4)             That Cabinet’s budget proposals for 2015/16 onwards be updated to provide for the above.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That Cabinet notes the findings of the ‘Stage 2’ report and supports in principle the proposed redevelopment of St. Leonard’s House, potentially as student accommodation.

(2)             That Cabinet authorises Officers to negotiate with strategic partners on a potential transfer of ownership, based on Option 2 of the report and in parallel, to protect the Council’s position, Cabinet authorises Officers to undertake wider soft market testing based on Option 4 including adjacent property owners.

(3)             That Officers report back to Cabinet on the outcome of negotiations and any market testing, in order for Cabinet to reach its final decisions on the proposals.

(4)             That Cabinet’s budget proposals for 2015/16 onwards be updated to provide for the above.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

St Leonards House has long been recognised as a liability rather than an asset to the Council and this development proposal looks to address this, alongside pursuing wider benefits including the regeneration potential and freeing up homes to the housing supply chain. The decision aims to help achieve the targets within the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy whilst also supporting current corporate priorities in connection with Economic Growth, Health and Wellbeing (housing) and Community Leadership (value for money).