Decision details

To consider proposals relating to the procurement of a developer partner for the east and south east Leeds (EASEL) regeneration scheme

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted a report setting out progress achieved during the additional negotiation period granted to Bellway and proposing the next steps required to bring the procurement of a regeneration development partner for the Council to a successful conclusion.

The Appendices to the report were designated exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3)), and were considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting and it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note that the final terms for the agreement for the disposal of the EASEL phase one sites will be approved by the Director of Development under existing delegations provided that the Director of Development is satisfied that the terms offered for the disposal of the land represent the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained under section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 (or under the Housing Act 1985);

(b)  That Bellway be appointed as the Council’s preferred regeneration development partner, subject to contract, with this appointment conditional on the matters set out within the report;

(c)  That the baseline commercial offer from Bellway as set out in the confidential appendix C to the report be noted;

(d)  That the negotiation with Bellway, required to reach commercial and legal terms to the benefit to the Council, as outlined in the exempt appendix to the report be approved and that a further report detailing the terms of these negotiations be brought back to this Board.

(e)  That authority be delegated to the EASEL project board, through the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Directors of Neighbourhoods and Housing, Development, Legal Services and Corporate Services to manage the negotiation and agreement of the commercial and legal terms to the benefit of the Council;

(f)  That the formal closure of the procurement process for the EASEL regeneration process, as required under regulations, be approved for the reasons set out in section 3 of the report.

(g)  That the proposed governance arrangements as set out in section 5 of the report be approved subject to consideration being given to the broadening  of representation on the Members’ Steering Group to include the Leeds PCT and the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber.

The relevant ALMOs and Ward members