URL: https://democracy.adur-worthing.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1224

Decision Maker: Joint Strategic Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Before the Committee was a report by the Director for Housing and Communities, copies of which had been circulated to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as Item 8.   The report sought approval for the re-development of 145 Heene Road, Worthing. Worthing Borough Council had the opportunity to acquire this property from Worthing Medical Group (WMG) but such acquisition will only occur when WMG takes up occupation of the Worthing Integrated Care Centre. It was proposed to develop the site to provide council owned accommodation for households with a housing need and for a budget to complete the development of the site.   Options were articulated and the rationale behind each of them, whilst also providing a recommended position in order to proceed with confidence through 2025/26. Officers would look to negotiate the best position for Worthing and Adur residents through the recommended options which were suggested to be progressed.   The report followed the publication of the Adur & Worthing Housing Strategy 2025-2030, which stipulated the need for the council to increase the amount of genuinely affordable housing and prevent homelessness and rough sleeping.   The report outlined the increasing demand for council owned accommodation in Worthing. The report reviewed the options available to the council for the future of the building, and the rationale for the preferred option being the development of the site as council owned accommodation.     Decision:   1.     That subject to the Worthing Medical Group taking up occupation of the Worthing Integrated Care Centre (WICC), the purchase of 145 Heene Road by Worthing Borough Council be authorised and the preferred option to develop the site for temporary accommodation (TA) use be approved, as set out within this paper, to enable the council to fulfil its statutory housing duties under S188 and S193 of the Housing Act 1996.   2.     That a budget of £1,939,400 from the unallocated housing fund budget be approved to deliver the development of the site.   3.     That subject to the purchase of 145 Heene Road, authority be delegated to the Assistant Director for Housing and Homelessness Prevention to invite tender for the construction work, and to enter and execute all necessary contracts and associated legal documentation to enable the project to progress to completion.     Call In: The call-in deadline for decisions will be 5.00pm on 13 June 2025     Cllr Sophie Cox left the meeting at 7.25pm, Cllr Garner took the Chair

Date of Decision: June 3, 2025