Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Communities
Presented by the Community and Climate Change Portfolio Holder

The Community and Climate Change Portfolio Holder presented the report.

A member commented that Compulsory Purchase Orders could be a slow, drawn-out process as it can be difficult to acquire a property this way. They encouraged the Portfolio Holder to challenge officers to move through the process at the earliest opportunity.  

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

1) The value of the offer to be made to the owner of a long-term empty property 65 Station Road in Kegworth, was agreed.

2) The Head of Legal Services was authorised to take all necessary steps to secure the making, sealing, confirmation and implementation of the CPOs, including but not limited to the publication of all statutory notices, securing the confirmation of the order by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (as appropriate) including (but not limited to) the negotiation and completion of any necessary agreement and undertaking in order to secure the removal of objections to the CPO; the presentation of the council’s case at any public inquiry or via written representations and all other associated procedural steps and vesting of the land in the district council.

3) The Head of Legal Services was authorised to acquire interests in the land within the order either by agreement or compulsorily, the payment of compensation and statutory interest and the instituting or defending of proceedings where necessary, together with the properties’ subsequent disposal.

Reason for decision: On this occasion due to the nature of the case, Cabinet is requested to review and confirm the value of the offer. They are also requested to review and confirm that should the offer not be accepted, the formal process of the Compulsory Purchase Order can commence.

Officers have delegated powers to carry out enforcement action under the Empty Homes Policy. In the Constitution, Section E sets out that where Executive Functions have been delegated, it does not prevent the Cabinet from reviewing decisions made in the discharge of those functions in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.