RESOLVED:

1.    That the Worsfold House Site be declared surplus to Council requirements.

2.    That the disposal of Worsfold House Site by private treaty on the main terms identified within the confidential appendix of this report be approved.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Director of Environment and Regeneration to approve any variation in these terms.

4.    That the Council assist the existing tenants of Worsfold House impacted by the disposal to identify suitable alternative accommodation where appropriate.

At the invitation of the Chair, Sarah Henley, Estifanos Habtesellasie and Michael Turner spoke on behalf of Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) and in support of retaining the facility at Worsfold House.  They understood the need for housing but urged the Council to support the facility that provided valuable services and support for disabled people in Merton.

The Chair thanked all the speakers for their contributions and asked Cabinet Members to not to refer to the exempt information contained in the appendices so that the meeting could remain in public.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration presented the report which set out a proposal to dispose of Worsfold House at best consideration to Clarion Housing to facilitate and accelerate the regeneration of the Eastfields estate by providing decant housing, for which planning permission had already been granted, and which would deliver significant benefits to the area by increasing the supply of decent housing.  The Director drew Members attention to the Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) and reminded them of their Public Sector Equality Duty to consider the impact of the proposals on those groups with protected characteristics under the Equalities Act and weigh up any potential impact against the benefits of the proposal.  The EIA identified some negative impacts of the proposal, as the building was currently let to Merton CIL and a number of organisations with protected characteristics.  If approved, November would be the earliest point at which any impact would be expected as the site was subject to planning processes thing would happen due to it still being subject to planning.  Officers were currently working with Merton CIL and other tenants of Worsfold House to identify suitable alternative accommodation and would continue to help in any way possible as it was recognised that these groups carried out important work in the Borough.  It was the view of officers that the impact was proportionate to outcomes sought to be achieved by the proposals.

The Chair, in his capacity as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport, highlighted the importance of the proposal for the delivery of much needed homes and the regeneration of Eastfields estate.  However the important work carried out by organisations like Merton CIL for residents in the Borough was recognised and welcomed.  Therefore it was proposed to add a fourth recommendation to assist in any way possible the existing tenants of Worsfold House impacted by the disposal to identify suitable alternative accommodation where appropriate.  In response to questions from Cabinet Members, the Director clarified how the site was integral to the completion of the overall regeneration of the area and that officers would be speaking directly to affected community groups to support them to identify alternative accommodation.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and the Environment echoed the comments made by the Chair.  The Council recognised the work of Merton CIL and any new accommodation identified would need to be accessible and he would be working with relevant officers to ensure that this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16