HANOVER AND PRINCESS COURT STEERING GROUP

HANOVER AND PRINCESS COURT STEERING GROUP 25th March 2022 1-2.30pm The Garden Room, Hanover Court and Princess Court Present: Regeneration and Decant Support Officer: Andrew Johnson (AJ) Development Officer: Molly Savino (MS) Tenant Representative: Diana Minns (DM) Tenants: Harmony Birch (HB), Solly Cham (SC), Shirlene Flowers (SF), Glen Lay (GL) Apologies: David Prentice (Leaseholder) (DP)

Introductions ▪

The Steering Group was set up following expressions of interest received in the survey responses from the initial consultation event held in November 2021.

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SF – Going forward can we consider what days/times we schedule the meeting as some will have commitments during the day e.g., working patterns.

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All – agreement to continue meetings in-person and can facilitate a hybrid meeting via Teams/Zoom for those isolating with Covid or who cannot attend inperson.

Terms of Reference ▪

AJ – Terms of Reference (ToR) circulated for any comments prior to agreement before meeting continues.

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HB – Can we review use of the word ‘decanting’ in the Agenda and ToR? It implies that we are decanting the whole estate and a decision on the blocks has been made.

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DM – A glossary may be helpful for industry/Council terms.

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SC - It would be good to encourage conversations with neighbours outside of this group, although a less formal setting would probably work better.

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HB – If drop-ins are held in the future, can we vary the days and times to ensure that we are not missing any residents?

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Background ▪

AJ – Council is working on a programme to deliver 1000 new homes over a tenyear period. This can come with challenges; despite a high-level of growth, Cambridge is a small city and there is limited availability of development sites.

The Council has older stock that does not meet modern standards in some areas and this brings higher maintenance costs. The Council’s Housing Scrutiny Committee (HSC) approved further detailed studies of several Council Estate areas that could be considered for redevelopment, including Hanover Court and Princess Court. The Council held initial consultation events with residents in November 2021 to gain feedback. This was included in a report that was considered at the HSC meeting in January 2022. The HSC approved options appraisal work at Hanover Court and Princess Court before a decision on the future of the estate is made.

Current ▪

HB – It seems from the communication that the Council is leaning towards redevelopment. Is refurbishment still an option?

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AJ – Noted. One of the key factors in the recent HSC decision is the availability of new homes at the Mill Road and Cromwell Road developments. If a decision is made for residents to move out later, then it would be very difficult given the number of residents we have living here and the availability of existing Council properties. In terms of the options appraisal to consider both refurbishment and redevelopment options, work is underway however this is not published as it is incomplete. We have appointed a Project Manager to undertake the options appraisal to include structural assessments of the blocks, fire safety and costs for each option.

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GL – When will this be completed? AJ – Likely to be June/July this year. Will bring further detail to the group.

Council Structure and Housing Scrutiny Committee ▪

DM – Agreed to cover at the next meeting.

Steering Group ▪

All – Group discussed the residents’ view on the Steering Group and the consultation.

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HB – Is there another term for ‘Steering Group’? May be misleading to some, particularly if they are expecting the group to have decision making abilities.

Some residents think this is a ‘box ticking exercise’.

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SF – Can the group get further details on the leasehold buy-backs? What happens if one refuses to sell and holds up the whole process? AJ – A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) can be used but confirming a CPO is seen as a last resort action after exploring different options with the leaseholder.

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SC – Is this the same with tenants? AJ – The approach is the same in terms of working through individual cases to explore different options. The Council would only apply to Court to seek possession of a property if the Council was at an endpoint i.e., needing to gain vacant possession of the development site and there hadn’t been any progress in terms of working with the tenant.

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HB – Will the leaseholder get to know how much the Council will pay for their flat? AJ – The leaseholder would confirm their interest in a valuation and the Council will then instruct an independent RICS valuer to undertake what is known as a ‘red-book’ market valuation. The Council meets the cost of this. The leaseholder then has four weeks to consider the valuation. If they accept, the Council can move forward with the purchase.

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GL – How many valuations have we had? Two so far although this may increase should other leaseholders how interest.

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HB – Can a leaseholder move into a Council flat, then move back to Hanover and Princess Court by buying a flat if it is redeveloped? AJ – We would speak with leaseholders on an individual basis regarding their level of need and circumstances. There is a potential right to return to Hanover and Princess Court, depending on availability and affordability.

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SF – Is it certain that we as tenants have the right to return? AJ – The Council has said ‘potentially’ as the future of the estate hasn’t been decided. If the site is redeveloped, the Council will aim for a new gain of Council rented homes. The tenure mix, however, can change and we would need to assess based on the number of units available and requirements of each household.

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SC – Can leaseholders sell to the Council, then get a Council-rented property?

They might be older and unable to get a mortgage. AJ – As mentioned, we will assess on a case-by-case basis. Affordability for leaseholders wanting to return to a redeveloped estate is a concern that we wish to address. Possible outcomes include offering shared ownership as a tenure, but nothing is confirmed yet.

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DP (from email communication) – There hasn’t been much communication from the Council to leaseholders. AJ – Leaseholders have been contacted at the same time as tenants e.g., from the consultation in November 2021 onwards.

However, tenants will have received some specific communication regarding the availability of rented Council properties at the developments on Mill Road and Cromwell Road. The point is noted and agreed to address this moving forward.

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All – What would the new development look like if that decision was made? MS – explanation given on the Cambridge Investment Partnership and that some 3

design work will continue and be part of determining the viability of a new scheme. Design aspects can be presented to the Steering Group in the future.

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SC – How long would construction take? MS – We don’t yet know but it would depend on what is built.

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All – Questions raised on rent levels at Hanover Court and Princess Court. Will this change if the buildings are refurbished? MS and DM – rents should not be impacted as existing secure tenancies will continue based on social rent levels.

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SF – There are concerns for working tenants that don’t receive housing benefits.

The new rents seem to be unaffordable. AJ – Explanation given on difference between ‘social rent’ and ‘affordable rent’. The affordable rent levels are linked to the financial viability of new developments. The Council aims to keep rents as low as is feasible. Financial advice can be given on individual basis.

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SF – What is happening with the empty flats and have we considered Ukrainian refugees? AJ – One of the main uses will be for temporary accommodation for those in need, although the Council will look at broader picture of retaining occupancy and security.

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HB – How long would tenants have to move if a decision is made to redevelop in September? AJ – All residents will be contacted via letter to confirm the decision made at HSC. Normally tenants find new accommodation within six months, although it can take up to a year. The Council would remain in contact throughout this time to understand individual circumstances and preferences.

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SC – It would be useful to have a flowchart with questions, to cover what tenants would have to do next based on different scenarios.

Communication and Next Meeting ▪

AJ – The aim is to have copies of the minutes available in the Garden Room at Hanover and Princess Court, sent via email and also uploaded to the consultation website.

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SF – Could we make the website a bit more interactive? Examples would be a forum with the option to post questions and share information? AJ – much depends on the functioning of the website and if this can easily be added by the web developers. This can be queried.

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All – Could next meeting be late pm or early evening, from 5.30pm onwards?

This will ensure most in the group have availability to attend.

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