Issue - items at meetings - Brooke Mead Extra Care Housing – Development Update

Report of the Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

That the Committee agrees an increase in the capital programme budget for the delivery of Brooke Mead extra care housing scheme to a maximum amount of £12m financed through unsupported borrowing in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), Homes & Community Agency (HCA) Grant and a contribution from Adult Social Care, to enable the scheme to start on site before the end of March 2015.

That Committee agrees to appropriate the land at Brooke Mead, Albion Street, Brighton, for planning purposes.

144.1.     The Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing introduced the report which provided an update on the progress of the Brooke Mead extra care housing scheme.  The report also sought approval for an increase in the scheme’s capital programme budget to cover an increase in costs primarily associated with build cost inflation forecasts.  The Executive Director stated that it was anticipated that the final costs would remain at under £12m but this was an increase from the £8.3m previously approved.  However, he was hopeful that this change would enable the scheme to be completed.

144.2.     Councillor Randall stated that he was eager to see the scheme start and noted that the procurement process had been complex.  However, he felt that the additional provision should be agreed and that every effort was made to ensure that the scheme came to fruition.

144.3.     Councillor Peltzer Dunn noted that the committee had previously agreed to the sum of £8.3m in 2013 and was now being asked to approve an increase to £12m based on a pretty crude estimate.  He accepted that building costs had increased over the period, however was disappointed with the information that had been provided and the assumption that there would not be further delays.

144.4.     The Chair noted the comments and put the recommendations to the vote.

144.5.     RESOLVED:

(1)          That an increase in the capital programme budget for the delivery of Brooke Mead extra care housing scheme to a maximum amount of £12m financed through unsupported borrowing in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), Homes & Community Agency (HCA) Grant and a contribution from Adult Social Care, to enable the scheme to start on site before the end of March 2015 be agreed; and

(2)          That it be agreed to appropriate the land at Brooke Mead, Albion Street, Brighton, for planning purposes.