The Cabinet Member for Economy and Property introduced the report and gave a background to the Queenborough and Rushenden improvement site.  She referred to the original grant of £3.5million allocated from the Homes England Grant Determination Agreement which was further increased to £5.1million in 2019. The Cabinet Member for Economy and Property explained that Campbell Reith were appointed as the Project Managers for the scheme and due to the timescales associated with the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) a successful contractor was required to be appointed as soon as the procurement process had been completed.

Members were supportive of the scheme, the work of officers and of Campbell Reith.

A Member referred to the lack of support from the administration to a previous HIF bid on a different site earlier in 2020.

Resolved:

(1)  That delegated authority be given for the appointment of the contractor to deliver the land raising and remediation contract currently being procured, to the Head of Housing, Economy and Community Services and Chief Financial Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Property and the Cabinet Member for Finance.

(2)  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Legal Services to approve and execute the Contract documentation for the appointment of the selected contractor.