Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1. The Council will enter a Memorandum of understanding with MHCLG based on the prospectus for the Local Authority Housing Fund available at Local Authority Housing Fund: Round 3 prospectus and guidance - GOV.UK.  Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for People and Communities to agree the final terms of the Memorandum of Understanding with MHCLG.

2. The Council will accept the total sum of £568,000 offered to the Council by MHCLG under the Local Authority Fund to deliver the programme, understanding the external match funding requirements as set out in the report and attached prospectus.

3. Cabinet agrees that, subject to agreement from West Norfolk Housing Company, the properties will be acquired by West Norfolk Housing Company, funded by the grant, debt financing and other available funding.

4. Authority is delegated to Assistant Director Finance/Deputy S151 in consultation to agree terms for deferred consideration (if necessary) with West Norfolk Housing Company in relation to the transfer of properties on the Council’s developments.

5. The Council requests that West Norfolk Housing Company works with the Council to deliver the properties through the fund.

6. That delegated authority is given to the Chief Executive Officer in consultation with the Leader for the acceptance of further funding offered to the Council under the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) or successor programme.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The recommendations will ensure that the opportunity presented by the Local Authority Housing Fund to deliver affordable housing in the borough will be fully realised and will help to relieve pressures on the council’s homelessness services.

Click here to view the Recording of this item on You Tube.

Cabinet noted that a General Exception Notice had been published with this report as it had not been advertised on the Forward Decisions list for 28 days.

Councillor Rust presented the report and the successful application for funding to provide three temporary accommodation units and one unit for Afghan refugees. 

The Housing Development Manager outlined what had been delivered through the rounds of the Local Authority Housing Fund awards to date.  With the additional funding it would bring the total to 46 homes, with 28 currently occupied.

Councillor Ring highlighted the importance of supporting those that needed temporary accommodation or were looking to resettle in the area.

The Chair, Councillor Beales thanked the officers and Members involved for bringing forward these opportunities to increase the housing stock and provide housing for those who needed it.

In response to a question from Councillor Moriarty, it was confirmed that the properties were likely to be located in, or around King’s Lynn and, with regard to the temporary accommodation, it would not be known who would be occupying it until it was needed.

Councillor Rust reminded Cabinet of the savings that would be achieved by having additional temporary accommodation provision, rather than relying on bed and breakfasts etc.

RESOLVED:

1. The Council will enter a Memorandum of understanding with MHCLG based on the prospectus for the Local Authority Housing Fund available at Local Authority Housing Fund: Round 3 prospectus and guidance - GOV.UK.  Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for People and Communities to agree the final terms of the Memorandum of Understanding with MHCLG.

2. The Council will accept the total sum of £568,000 offered to the Council by MHCLG under the Local Authority Fund to deliver the programme, understanding the external match funding requirements as set out in the report and attached prospectus.

3. Cabinet agrees that, subject to agreement from West Norfolk Housing Company, the properties will be acquired by West Norfolk Housing Company, funded by the grant, debt financing and other available funding.

4. Authority is delegated to Assistant Director Finance/Deputy S151 in consultation to agree terms for deferred consideration (if necessary) with West Norfolk Housing Company in relation to the transfer of properties on the Council’s developments.

5. The Council requests that West Norfolk Housing Company works with the Council to deliver the properties through the fund.

6. That delegated authority is given to the Chief Executive Officer in consultation with the Leader for the acceptance of further funding offered to the Council under the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) or successor programme.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The recommendations will ensure that the opportunity presented by the Local Authority Housing Fund to deliver affordable housing in the borough will be fully realised and will help to relieve pressures on the council’s homelessness services.