Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor H.H. Evans, Leader and Lead Member for Economic Development (copy enclosed) on the use of Compulsory Purchase procedures to acquire property in West Rhyl, for the purpose of implementing the West Rhyl Housing Improvement Project

Councillor H.H. Evans presented the report which detailed the use of Compulsory Purchase procedures to acquire property in West Rhyl, for the purpose of implementing the West Rhyl Housing Improvement Project, which had been considered under business item number 8 on the Agenda.

Members attention was invited to the plan included as Appendix 1.  The officers explained that the Plan had been amended as follows:- 

·        Block 2 to include Gronant Street in the CPO to allow alignment works.

·        Block 7 to include a further building, a outbuilding at the eastern end of Abbey Street near Crescent Road.

A copy of the amended plan was circulated to Members at the meeting.

The report outlined the background to the West Rhyl Housing Improvement Project (WRHIP).  The Project aimed to reduce the number of houses in multiple occupation in the West Rhyl area, improve the quality of housing and the general environment and provide new open space.  In November, 2011 Cabinet resolved to adopt the Rhyl Going Forward delivery plan as the regeneration strategy for Rhyl.  The WRHIP Phase 1 Business Justification Case had been approved by the Welsh Government (WG) Finance Minister and funding for the project from the WG’s Centrally Retained Capital Fund.

The WRHIP Business Plan had been approved by the WG in May, 2012 and the first meeting of the WRHIP Board, which was the strategic partnership for the project, had been convened in July, 2012. 

Following consideration of the WRHIP report by Cabinet, and in accordance with Denbighshire Financial Regulations and Project Management Methodology, the report would be submitted to Council in September, 2012 to approve the project and delegate powers to the Project Board.

The report outlined the aims of the Project, to improve the amenity of the area and create a more balanced community with a proportion of owner occupation.  Details of the properties included in the project had been included in Appendix 1 to the report.  It was explained that the Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO’s) would apply to all outstanding properties not in public ownership for the project. However, even when the CPO’s were made the Council would seek wherever possible to acquire properties by agreement.  The Head of Finance and Assets would have authority to approve minor amendments to the Orders and to remove property from any of the Orders as instructed by the Project Board.  The Project outcome for each block had been detailed in Appendix 3 to the report.  The officers referred to the power to make the decision and details had been included and summarised in the report.

Councillor C. Hughes expressed concern regarding the possible decrease in the availability of one bedroom accommodation following the completion of the project and the affordability of the new properties to people currently residing in the area.  The Rhyl Going Forward Programme Manager confirmed that one of the key objects had been to reduce the number of single one bedroom accommodation in the area due to the excessive availability of such accommodation currently in the area, which had been related to some of the economic and social deprivation associated problems experienced.  He explained that it had not been the intention to remove single one bedroom accommodation entirely and confirmed that a significant amount of such accommodation would be available in the wider West Rhyl area, which he felt would provide a better balance of housing available in the locality.

Members supported the view expressed by Councillor E.W. Williams that it would be important to ensure that it was made clear that Denbighshire were carrying out the CPO procedures on behalf of the Welsh Government who were unable to undertake this process.

RESOLVED - that Cabinet:-

(a)   approves the use of Compulsory Purchase procedures for the acquisition of property required to implement The West Rhyl Housing Improvement Project.

(b)   the Compulsory Purchase Orders be made in respect of Blocks1 to 7 pursuant to section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to acquire those properties not currently in public ownership, and

(c)   confirms the amendments to West Rhyl Improvement Project Plan, Appendix 1, as agreed.

The meeting concluded at 11.15 a.m.