Issue - meetings

To consider the progress made towards delivering Handforth Garden Village, the options for delivery and proposed progressing with the option of exploring a joint venture with MADE Partnership.

Having previously declared an interest Councillors S Gardiner and G Marshall left the meeting before consideration of this item and did not return.

The Committee considered the report which provided an update on the progress towards delivering Handforth Garden Village and outlined options for delivery and proposed progressing with the option of exploring a joint venture with MADE Partnership.

Consideration had been given to potential delivery options and the option to enter into a joint venture with MADE Partnership was being considered, with a proposed 18-to-24-month exclusivity period for due diligence and partnership evaluation. 

During consideration of the report concerns were raised about the risks involved in a large development and in response it was stated that the project had an extensive risk register.   Reference was made to the adoption of the roads, and it was stated that discussions were being held with the Highways Authority at present on this matter. 

RESOLVED:  That the Committee

1               approve the Council entering into an exclusivity agreement with MADE Partnership to explore the principle of forming a joint venture partnership that would lead the development of Handforth Garden Village.

2               delegate to the Executive Director Place authority to:

                      i.               negotiate and enter into the exclusivity agreement in the consultation with the Governance, Compliance and Monitoring Officer.

                     ii.               renegotiate terms, conditions and milestones of the Housing Infrastructure Funding (HIF) agreements with Homes England as necessary and take all actions required to enter into any updated or new agreements.

3        note that a further report will be brought back to the Economy and Growth Committee for a decision as to whether the Council should proceed to enter into a joint venture with MADE Partnership.