Issue - meetings

In certain circumstances a Local Authority has the legal right to use Compulsory Purchase Order powers to acquire land to achieve certainty of delivery of its redevelopment and/or highway aspirations.  It is beneficial if the Council makes it clear whilst negotiations continue that it is prepared to use CPO powers should the need arise.  The CPO process in relation to the Riverside site, Keynsham will only be exercised if it is considered to be necessary by the Chief Property Officer, in consultation with the S151 Officer and Cabinet Member for Community Resources.

Councillor David Bellotti in proposing the item said that the issues were straightforward.  He referred to paragraph (2) of the proposals and explained that the Council needed the powers because it could not in all conscience leave the secondary site to degenerate next to the site which was being renewed.  The Cabinet intended to bring forward plans for the secondary site in due course.

Councillor Cherry Beath seconded the proposal and gave her full support to the plans and the need to use the CPO powers if necessary.

On a motion from Councillor David Bellotti, seconded by Councillor Cherry Beath, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AUTHORISE the Chief Property Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Resources to take all necessary steps to make, as necessary, a CPO or CPOs under Section 226(1) of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 for the acquisition of land and/or the creation of new rights pursuant to Section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (or any such other legislation  may be  appropriate for the delivery of the scheme) in respect of acquisition of land and/or rights within the indicative area shown on the attached site plan for the  Riverside office block and its environs, Temple Street, Keynsham to bring forward the area for redevelopment following the Council’s vacation in 2014.

The Chief Property Officer is authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Resources, to take all necessary steps in the process of making, confirmation and implementation of any CPO, including the publication and service of all notices, and the presentation of the Council’s case at Public Inquiry.

(2) To AUTHORISE the Chief Property Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Resources, to acquire interests in land and new rights within any CPO either by agreement(s) or compulsorily and approve agreement(s) with land owners setting out the terms of the withdrawal of objections to the Order, including where appropriate seeking exclusion of land or new rights from the Order and or making arrangements for re-housing or relocation of occupiers;

(3) To AGREE that any use of the CPO powers is subject to authorisation from the S151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Resources in respect of the anticipated financial implications of the authorisation.