Issue - meetings

The findings following a post implementation review of the council’s use of Defoe Court in East Street Epsom for use as additional temporary accommodation.

The Committee received a report setting out the findings following a post implementation review of the Council’s use of Defoe Court in East Street Epsom for use as additional temporary accommodation.

The report was introduced by the Head of Housing and Community. 

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            The time taken from the Strategy & Resources Committee in November 2017 to the first households moving into Defoe Court in May 2021.  It was noted that there was a long delay caused in respect of concluding the legal agreement following the agreement on the draft Heads of Terms. A further significant delay was caused by the submission of an incomplete Planning Application.  This Application was ultimately withdrawn and resubmitted, resulting in a delay of 1 year and 11 months to obtain the necessary planning consents.  The legal transfer of the units took place in March 2021, with the first households moving in in May 2021.

b)            The Key learning for the Council is to ensure that going forward, resource for the delivery of projects is factored in as part of the initial planning and included in requests for funding especially for “invest to save cases” where delays are costly to the Council.  This learning should be extended to all other Council departments.

c)            The lease agreement with SHA is for a 5 year period, with a break clause after 3 years.  It was noted that providing care to young people is a dynamic that changes, and that circumstances might be completely different in 3 years’ time.

d)            It was confirmed that Council will be liable for repairs to the building during the lease period.

The Committee having considered the above matters, it was unanimously resolved:

(1)          To note the conclusions from this review and that future projects should identify an accountable officer and adopt a suitable programme management approach.