RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     notes the results of Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP) Board and the decision of Circle Housing Board to proceed.

2.     approves six weeks of public consultation on the Draft Estates Local Plan (including proposals to include opportunities of development around St Marks Academy  set out in Appendix A of this report ) and Sustainability Appraisal and associated revisions to the Policies Map from February  2016 – March 2016, noting that the consultation will  provide residents input into setting the parameters which the council would require any submitted regeneration proposals for the three estates to adhere to.  

3.     approves the associated update to the project plan (Merton’s Local Development Scheme) to reflect preparation of the proposed draft Estates Regeneration Local Plan and the revised timetable for preparation of this Plan as set out in this report.

4.     delegate approval to Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with  relevant Cabinet members to approve changes to the consultation documents and the start of consultation and the timetable option to proceed with following this current consultation stage.

5.     delegate conclusion of negotiation with CHMP on financial viability matters to the Director of Corporate Services and Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with relevant Cabinet members; with any subsequent amendments to the Stock Transfer Agreement to be brought back to Cabinet & Full Council.

6.     delegate approval to the Director of Community & Housing in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to finalise a revised delivery timetable for the implementation of the decent homes programme on the High Path, Eastfields and Ravensbury Estates.

The Cabinet Members for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration and Community and Culture presented the report which sought Cabinet’s approval for the 6 week public consultation on the draft Estates Local Plan. In detailing the report it was emphasised that the consultation was separate to anything that had been carried out by Circle Housing Merton Priority (CHMP) and that no decision had been taken prior to the result of the consultation having been collated. It was emphasised that the Council was still committed and proud of the 10 commitments and would ensure that they were fulfilled with CHMP.

Mr Holt the Chair, Ravensbury Residents Association, addressed the Cabinet on the report asking a number of questions for clarification on the consolation process. In response to those questions it was noted that due to commercially sensitive information it would not be possible to have an ‘open book policy’ on the estate development. However the Council would see from its own position, if there was any further information that it could make public.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     notes the results of Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP) Board and the decision of Circle Housing Board to proceed.

2.     approves six weeks of public consultation on the Draft Estates Local Plan (including proposals to include opportunities of development around St Marks Academy  set out in Appendix A of this report ) and Sustainability Appraisal and associated revisions to the Policies Map from February  2016 – March 2016, noting that the consultation will  provide residents input into setting the parameters which the council would require any submitted regeneration proposals for the three estates to adhere to.  

3.     approves the associated update to the project plan (Merton’s Local Development Scheme) to reflect preparation of the proposed draft Estates Regeneration Local Plan and the revised timetable for preparation of this Plan as set out in this report.

4.     delegate approval to Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with  relevant Cabinet members to approve changes to the consultation documents and the start of consultation and the timetable option to proceed with following this current consultation stage.

5.     delegate conclusion of negotiation with CHMP on financial viability matters to the Director of Corporate Services and Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with relevant Cabinet members; with any subsequent amendments to the Stock Transfer Agreement to be brought back to Cabinet & Full Council.

6.     delegate approval to the Director of Community & Housing in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to finalise a revised delivery timetable for the implementation of the decent homes programme on the High Path, Eastfields and Ravensbury Estates.