Issue - meetings

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a)    Endorsed the decision taken by the Leader under Regulation 11 (Cases of Special Urgency) that has approved that the Council sign up to the High Street Rental Auctions Early Adopter initiative.

b)    Noted that a further report will be brought to the Executive detailing the High Street Rentals Auction Policy and next steps for its implementation.

Reasons for Recommendations:

·       It is recommended that the Council sign up to the initiative as:

·       It will add another tool to the Council’s work to support regeneration in town centres and its corporate objectives to create Safe & Thriving Places, by bringing vacant properties back into use.

·       There is no immediate financial impact on the Council from taking part in the initiative nor legal penalty if it were to withdraw from the initiative at a later date.

·       The initiative will draw on the support of a number of Council teams and expertise, creating a positive example of our One Council approach and lead to a positive benefit locally for residents.

·       It presents the Council with an opportunity to be part of spearheading the use of new legislative powers, and inputting on how the HSRA guidance and process can be improved.

Alternative Options Considered: An alternative would be for the Council to not sign up to the initiative and consider the outcome of other Council’s implementing the scheme across the Country.

This option is not recommended as:

·       Signing up the initiative has no legal or financial implication (these being fully considered in the proposed follow up paper), and there is an opportunity for the Council to progress the use of those new powers now and provide a positive benefit to North Northants town centres.

·       The proposed course of action set out in the paper will enable the development of a policy and evidence base for the Council to progress a HSRA in a way that focusses on those locations where it will have the most beneficial impact.

·       The process will draw on the expertise and skill set of a number of teams to work collaboratively to bring forward successful HSRAs. This builds on our One Council approach and enables the Council to be part of spearheading the use of new powers to support our town centres and residents. 

The Council could also choose to sign up the initiative and take a broader approach targeting multiple HSRAs and properties with them. This would have a direct implication on resource need to establish and manage the overall process. A more focussed approach is recommended at this stage, with the option of broadening the use of HSRAs to more towns considered as part of the next report.

The Chair invited Cllr Matt Keane to address the Executive. Cllr Keane spoke to welcome the initiative before members, noting the challenges faced by high streets locally and nationally. Cllr Keane queried how the Council would target specific high streets in the Council area and how engagement with property landlords would be undertaken. It was heard that the Council should do everything in its power to ensure its town centres were modern and fit for purpose and lead by example in being an early adopter of High Street Rental Auctions.

The Chair thanked Cllr Keane for his comments before inviting the Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, Cllr David Brackenbury to introduce a report that detailed the High Street Rental Auctions process, a new permissive power for local authorities to require landlords to rent out persistently vacant commercial properties to new tenants. The report also sought endorsement of the decision taken by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jason Smithers under Regulation 11 (Cases of Special Urgency) that had approved the Council signing up to the High Street Rental Auctions Early Adopter initiative.

Cllr Brackenbury noted that the initiative was something of a last resort in the Council’s options, but there would be times when the new power could be used to encourage persistently vacant commercial properties to be brought back into use. Cllr Brackenbury highlighted guidance within the report that detailed when to use the powers and types of properties eligible. It was noted a unit had to have been for unoccupied 12 months within a 24 month period and be commercially viable to be brought back into use.

The meeting heard that a further report would be submitted to the Executive at a later date providing additional details regarding the High Street Rentals Auction Policy and the next steps for its implementation.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a)    Endorsed the decision taken by the Leader under Regulation 11 (Cases of Special Urgency) that has approved that the Council sign up to the High Street Rental Auctions Early Adopter initiative.

b)    Noted that a further report will be brought to the Executive detailing the High Street Rentals Auction Policy and next steps for its implementation.

Reasons for Recommendations:

·       It is recommended that the Council sign up to the initiative as:

·       It will add another tool to the Council’s work to support regeneration in town centres and its corporate objectives to create Safe & Thriving Places, by bringing vacant properties back into use.

·       There is no immediate financial impact on the Council from taking part in the initiative nor legal penalty if it were to withdraw from the initiative at a later date.

·       The initiative will draw on the support of a number of Council teams and expertise, creating a positive example of our One Council approach and lead to a positive benefit locally for residents.

·       It presents the Council with an opportunity to be part of spearheading the use of new legislative powers, and inputting on how the HSRA  ...  view the full minutes text for item 775