Issue - meetings

Cabinet considered proposals for the purchase of a property in Edgar Road. Live Margate was an ambitious programme for the Council to intervene in the housing market in Cliftonville by purchasing bedsits and houses in multiple occupation and converting them into family homes. The programme had proved extremely successful and had so far converted 9 buildings into 33 self-contained family homes from what were previously more than 100 bedsit flats with shared facilities. The programme had tackled buildings in serious disrepair, contributed to improving housing conditions in Cliftonville and let homes on long-term secure affordable tenancies. The funding for Live Margate was part of the approved Housing Revenue Account capital programme.

With the remaining approved funding for the Live Margate Programme, the Council was proposing to purchase a large property in Edgar Road, Cliftonville. The property consisted of four interconnecting houses, currently configured as a single licensed house in multiple occupation. It consisted of approximately 20 individual rooms with en-suite bathrooms with shared lounges and kitchens.

The property had been valued and the owner had indicated acceptance of an offer within the valuation figure, subject to contract. There was sufficient funding within the approved Live Margate programme to support the purchase. In the same way as other properties already completed within the Live Margate programme, it was proposed to purchase the property and complete a conversion into self-contained family homes for affordable rent.

If approved, the conversion project would take between 12 and 18 months to develop and for works to start on site. During this time, the building had the potential to be occupied, as a house in multiple occupation, to assist with the needs of homeless people.

Councillor Jill Bayford proposed, Councillor Pugh seconded and Cabinet agreed:

1.  To approved Live Margate programme;

2.  To design a scheme to convert the building into self-contained 2 bedroom flats, progress a planning application and appoint a suitable design team to progress the conversion;

3.  To consider a further report once the detailed conversion costs are known, so that the necessary funding can be included within the HRA capital programme and a contractor appointed.