Agenda item

Report of the City Surveyor and Interim Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

Members are also asked to note the non-public report at agenda item 13 (a)

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor and Interim Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, which asked Members to consider whether areas in the car parks and the seven Gravel Lane shop units, proposed for non-housing use at the Middlesex Street Estate, are no longer required for housing purposes, and may be appropriated for other use.   The  report included information from further estate-wide consultation with residents and commercial tenants, and recommended that the areas are not required for housing purposes, for the next 20 years, in lieu of a capital sum for housing purposes.

Members noted an error, since the agenda has been published, in respect of the Shop Unit at 20 Gravel Lane, which had been added to the original six units outlined in the initial report as being surplus.  Although this unit is currently occupied, it is one of the least desirable retail units on the Estate and, historically, has proven very difficult to let.  This would also enable residents to have access to 3 lifts, rather than 2, as per the previous design.  It could also  create a liaison office for the City of London Police, on the ground floor, and a community space on the first floor, subject to available funding and if needed.  

The Chair invited the Portsoken Ward Members to make statements and Members noted the following points:

1.         Officers, Resident representatives and Ward Members were commended for working together to reach this position.  The revised recommendations presented solutions to some of the residents’  major concerns; i.e. identifying additional space cycle storage, bespoke cycle lifts, a properly managed service area, with an attendant, improved CCTV, disabled access and spaces, provision of an estate office and outdoor gym equipment. The Chair endorsed this comment.  

2.         There are positive aspects in respect of the close proximity to the City of London Police, in terms of resident safety, and the Police’s plans appear to be robust enough for presentation to the Planning and Transportation Committee.

3.         The financial benefit of £3.4m is a non-HRA capital sum, ringfenced for housing use, which could potentially be used to expedite outstanding works.  The Chair stressed that its future use will be for the Committee to determine.

4.         In addition to the £3.4m,  the CBB had signed off on £1.34 m for the additional items in the report,  including £50,000 for acoustic improvements to the ball courts.  Members were concerned that they had been closed for 2 years, and officers undertook to get them back into use as soon as possible.  Members also noted that conversations would continue in terms of further improvements.

5.         The Chair of the Police Authority Board advised that the Commissioner had  made a  commitment to residents about vehicle egress and Members noted that it is rare for them to leave at speed and/or use sirens when doing so.

6.         Ward Members stressed that they are both public servants and stewards of public resources and would, therefore, be voting for the surplus declaration.

RESOLVED, that:

1.         The outcome of further estate-wide consultation with residents and commercial tenants on the Middlesex Street Estate be noted.

2.         It be agreed that:

2.1       The seven shop units (shown within the MSCP on the plans annexed to this report at Appendix 1) proposed for non-housing use at the Middlesex Street Estate are not required for housing purposes for a period of 20 years from the date of resolution.

2.2       The areas of car park (shown within the MSCP on the plans annexed to this report at Appendix 1) proposed for non-housing use at the Middlesex Street Estate, are not required for housing purposes for a period of 20 years from the date the Relocation and Consolidation Works are completed.

2.3       At the end of the 20-year period, unless further appropriations are agreed by the City of London Corporation (City Corporation), in its capacity as housing authority, the MSCP areas described at 2.1 and 2.2 will revert to their normal use for housing purposes; and

3.         The Comptroller and City Solicitor be instructed to prepare a Memorandum of Appropriation in accordance with Recommendation 2, to be placed on the Middlesex Street Estate Deed Packet as soon as any appropriation has taken effect.