Decision details

Approval was sought for the Tipton Town Centre Regeneration Scheme Rescope and Funding Package.

Reason for Decision

Tipton Regeneration Fund was set to deliver a minimum 65, and potentially up to 78, new homes on three key sites in Tipton town centre. These would provide low-energy and sustainable apartments at affordable rents and would underpin Sandwell’s commitment to build new social housing to meet the needs of its citizens. The three sites were within the town centre, which offered a range of shops and key public services close by. The redevelopment of vacant sites and the replacement of obsolete accommodation would help foster optimism in the local community and hopefully boost confidence and stimulate further investment.

Alternative Options Considered

Do nothing, Refurbish the existing buildings or Revert to the original scheme as submitted in August 2022.

Resolved:-

(1)          that the Director of Regeneration and Growth be authorised to design, procure, and develop three sites in Tipton town centre (as indicated in Appendix 1) for affordable one and two bed Council housing units, subject to obtaining planning approval;

(2)          that the Director of Regeneration and Growth, in consultation with the Interim Director of Finance, be authorised to sign under seal the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that has been agreed by both parties. (Appendix 5);

(3)          that the Interim Director of Finance be authorised to allocate adequate additional resources from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to deliver the scheme in line with the funding package, subject to the completion of a satisfactory financial appraisal to be undertaken by Financial Planning;

(4)          that approval be given to authorise the steps necessary for the delivery of the proposed projects, including:

a.             The Director of Regeneration and Growth in consultation with the Interim Director of Finance and Interim Director of Housing be authorised to prepare tender documentation and subsequently procure, in accordance with any statutory regulations and the Council’s Procurement and Financial Regulations, any professional services required to develop proposals set out in 2.14 and Appendix 2 up to RIBA Stage 4.

b.             Subject to 1.4.1 the Director of Regeneration and Growth in consultation with the Interim Director of Finance and the Interim Director of Housing be authorised to prepare tender documentation and subsequently procure, in accordance with any statutory regulations and the Council’s Procurement and Financial Regulations, a development/construction/demolition contractor to deliver the proposals set out in 1.1 and Appendix 2.

c.             The Director of Regeneration and Growth be authorised to progress any consents or applications required for Demolition, Planning, Building Regulations or Highways appertaining to the delivery of the schemes set out in 1.1 and any other agreements with the procured contractor(s) as may be deemed necessary to facilitate development of the sites set out in Appendix 1.