Issue - meetings

The Housing Delivery Manager presented the report on a rooftop extension to Granada House.  The proposal was to award the contract to a specialist company and to carry out a wider refurbishment of the building.  The intention was to create additional market rent units that would be retained by the Council, within its property company Maidstone Property Holdings Limited.

The Committee requested early engagement with Ward Members on proposals as they came forward to ensure that issues that had occurred on previous Council led building projects did not arise this time.  Concerns were raised about the rising rents that would result from improving the building and were assured that the Council would raise rents gradually, on a renewal basis, meaning they would not be causing homelessness and would be in line with market rates for the area.

Some concerns were raised about the viability of building a fourth storey and the value that the Council would get out of the building, particularly without lift access.  It was noted that providing a lift was not a building regulations requirement for four storeys and there were other examples of similar setups elsewhere. 

Development and refurbishment of the building would also have a positive impact on the ground floor retail units. 

The following was proposed:

Recommendations as per the papers and add at the end of recommendation 3. ‘…and subject to the continuing viability of the scheme as outlined in 5.4 with the outcome of that work being reported back to the committee.

The proposal was not carried.

The following was then proposed:

Recommendations as per the papers and add the end of recommendation 3. ‘…and subject to the continuing viability of the scheme as outlined in 5.4.’

The proposal was agreed

RESOLVED:

1.  That the tender price submission bid by preferred contractor described in the report and the indicative financial returns for the new build roof top extension to Granada House shown at Exempt Appendix 1, which support the Housing Development and Regeneration Investment Plan be noted;

2.  That the Director of Finance and Business Improvement be granted delegated authority to appoint and enter into a JCT Pre Contract Services Agreement (PCSA) with the preferred contractor for stage 1 (pre-construction phase) works to Granada House;

3.  That the Director of Finance and Business Improvement be granted delegated authority to enter into a JCT Design and Build and Minor Works Contract with the preferred contractor for the stage 2 (construction phase) works to Granada House, subject to satisfactory performance and planning consent being achieved in stage 1and subject to the continuing viability of the scheme as outlined in 5.4; and

4.  That the Head of Mid Kent Legal Services be authorised to instruct/appoint the Solicitors required and to complete the necessary contract documentation and agreements associated with the works and consultancy services provided for Granada House, on the terms agreed by the Director of Finance and Business Improvement.