The report presents a case to use compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers to bring empty homes back into occupation. The report recommends the use of CPO for a particular long term empty home but also seeks delegated authority to take all necessary steps to complete the process.

1.      That the acquisition of Empty Property A, either voluntarily or using a compulsory purchase order (CPO) be approved in principle.

2.      That the disposal of Empty Property A following a successful acquisition and renovation to a habitable standard be approved, and the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Members for Adult, Social Care and Housing Operations and Corporate Resources be authorised to effect the disposal of Property A.

3.      If required, to authorise the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Members for Adult, Social Care and Housing Operations and Corporate Resources and the Interim Monitoring Officer, to make a compulsory purchase order to be known as “The Central Bedfordshire [full postal address of the property to be inserted] Compulsory Purchase Order 201x” under Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 and any other relevant legal powers, in respect of Property A.

4.      If required, to authorise the Interim Monitoring Officer, in respect of Property A:

(a)     to take all necessary steps in connection therewith including the making and serving of the Order, the signing, publication, and serving of all notices, the submission of the Order to the Secretary of State for Housing (and if any objections are received) the making of arrangements for a Public Inquiry, including the appointment of Counsel.

(b)     to either service a Notice to Treat under the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 or make a General Vesting declaration under the Compulsory Purchase (vesting declarations) Act 1981 so as to acquire all necessary interests in the land and property included in the Compulsory Purchase Order.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Members for Adults, Social Care and Housing Operations and Assets and Housing Delivery that proposed the use of compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers to bring an empty property back into occupation.  The details of property A were set out in the exempt section of the Agenda.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to progress a CPO in respect of property A and take all steps to complete the process.

RESOLVED

1.      that the acquisition of Empty Property A, either voluntarily or using a compulsory purchase order (CPO) be approved in principle;

2.      that the disposal of Empty Property A following a successful acquisition and renovation to a habitable standard be approved, and the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Members for Adult, Social Care and Housing Operations and Corporate Resources be authorised to effect the disposal of Property A;

3.      if required, to authorise the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Members for Adult, Social Care and Housing Operations and Corporate Resources and the Interim Monitoring Officer, to make a compulsory purchase order to be known as “The Central Bedfordshire [full postal address of the property to be inserted] Compulsory Purchase Order 201x” under Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 and any other relevant legal powers, in respect of Property A; and

4.      if required, to authorise the Interim Monitoring Officer, in respect of Property A:

(a)      to take all necessary steps in connection therewith including the making and serving of the Order, the signing, publication, and serving of all notices, the submission of the Order to the Secretary of State for Housing (and if any objections are received) the making of arrangements for a Public Inquiry, including the appointment of Counsel; and

(b)      to either service a Notice to Treat under the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 or make a General Vesting declaration under the Compulsory Purchase (vesting declarations) Act 1981 so as to acquire all necessary interests in the land and property included in the Compulsory Purchase Order.