RESOLVED:

A. That the properties listed in the appendix be declared surplus to council requirements.

B. That the properties listed in the appendix be marketed for housing as soon as they are ready for sale provided the Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, considers that the market is favourable.

C. That authority was delegated to the Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, to determine which of the properties listed in the appendix be sold on one or more of the following terms:

Option 1. Disposal to maximise capital receipt; or

Option 2. Disposal to provide redevelopment with 50% affordable Housing; or

Option 3. Disposal to provide redevelopment with 100% affordable housing.

And on such other terms as he considers are prudent and in the best interests of the Council in concluding a disposal of the properties.

D. That the Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, is authorised to use delegated powers to make any other decisions that are required to facilitate the conclusion of the disposal of the properties.

E. That members noted that work is underway on wider housing matters including selective licensing and an Article 4 Direction requiring planning permission for smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation set out in paragraphs 2.16-2.22.

The Cabinet Member for Finance presented the report and thanked officers and Councillor Whelton for their work.

The report sought to declare the sites listed within the appendix as surplus and available for housing and put in place a mechanism for disposal. Each site would have to be determined how to be disposed of on a site-by-site basis and it was envisaged that this would be assessed by a wider project team.

The sites formerly owned by the Merantun Local Authority Property Company would be the first tranch of sites to be disposed of and to seek to achieve 100% affordable housing on these sites.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and the Climate Emergency thanked officers and noting that a number of additional housing units would be provided as part of the plan. The report also set out the intention to look at the introduction of an Article 4 direction in parts of Merton for homeowners wishing to convert residential properties into HMOs (houses of multiple occupation), whereby Planning permission would be required to be sought for these conversions.

An evidence base was also being built on the possible introduction of a selective landlord licensing scheme, with a further report due to Cabinet in March 2022.

RESOLVED:

A. That the properties listed in the appendix be declared surplus to council requirements.

B. That the properties listed in the appendix be marketed for housing as soon as they are ready for sale provided the Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, considers that the market is favourable.

C. That authority was delegated to the Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, to determine which of the properties listed in the appendix be sold on one or more of the following terms:

Option 1. Disposal to maximise capital receipt; or

Option 2. Disposal to provide redevelopment with 50% affordable Housing; or

Option 3. Disposal to provide redevelopment with 100% affordable housing.

And on such other terms as he considers are prudent and in the best interests of the Council in concluding a disposal of the properties.

D. That the Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, is authorised to use delegated powers to make any other decisions that are required to facilitate the conclusion of the disposal of the properties.

E. That members noted that work is underway on wider housing matters including selective licensing and an Article 4 Direction requiring planning permission for smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation set out in paragraphs 2.16-2.22.