Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Services attached.

Councillor Cummins, Cabinet Member for Housing Services presented the report which sought approval to purchase new build homes on private developments in the borough where available, using retained Right to Buy receipts up to £3.019 m generated from the period 1st April 2022 to the 31st of March 2024, to accommodate homeless households, negate the need for expensive bed & breakfast and hotel provision and reduce service costs.

In response to a members question regarding spending the £3.019 million within a short space of time. Members were assured that the officer involved in this work has the correct skill set to deliver the ask for the council.

The Leader requested that the Cabinet Member for Housing Services ensures an update to the correct committee’s and meetings on how the work is progressing.

Decision:

Cabinet:

·         Approved the acquisition of new build homes on private developments using retained Right to Buy receipts up to £3.019 m, as set out within this report.

·         Approved the acquisition of suitable pre-owned property using retained Right to Buy receipts up to £3.019 m where the Council is unable to obtain appropriate new build property within time limits.

·         Delegate the finalised terms and acquisition of property to the Director of Regeneration & Project Delivery and Director of Housing, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Cabinet Member for Housing Services.

Reasons for Recommendations:

·         To provide additional accommodation for households in priority need, negate the need for costly bed & breakfast and hotel provision and reduce service costs.

·         To enable the Council to support vulnerable households and fulfil its statutory obligations.

·         To increase the housing stock; generate additional rental income and council tax revenue.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         Do nothing - this option has been rejected as these monies give the Council an opportunity to increase the housing stock and generate significant savings by reducing the need for temporary accommodation, in particular costly bed & breakfast, and hotel provision.

·         Give the monies (£3.019 m) to a local registered provider for the acquisition of housing – this option has been rejected because the Council would lose control of any housing assets acquired, together with the opportunity to maximise rental income and increase productivity.

·         Use the monies to build/develop new affordable housing – this option has been rejected as these monies must be expended by the 31st of March 2026 to ensure maximum efficiency. The development of new affordable housing would not be completed within existing time limits and would incur additional expenditure/resource.

·         Use the monies to improve/renovate existing housing stock – this option has been rejected as these monies can only be used to provide replacement affordable housing e.g. social and affordable rent and low-cost market housing such as shared ownership.