Decision details

1.       Approve the transfer of the existing Council New Homes Acquisitions Strategy (CNHAS) Private Rental Scheme (PRS) budget of £36.3m including delegated powers to the temporary accommodation budget (still within Programme 4a of CNHAS) to provide additional affordable homes;

2.       Approve the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Round 1, 2 and 3 funding with the relevant grant funding agreements (Annexe 1, 2 and 6);

3.       Approve of the Surrey Road Development as per Annexe 3. (specifically, the recommendations of that report);

4.       Approve of the Crescent Road Development as per Annexe 4. (specifically, the recommendations of that report); and

5.       Approve of the Darracott Road Development as per Annexe 5. (specifically, the recommendations of that report)

Cabinet at its meeting on the 22 May 2024 unanimously agreed that the above decision be agreed and forwarded to the next Council meeting scheduled for 4 June for approval.

Following the calling of the general election and the decision taken on the 28 May to cancel the Council meeting scheduled for the 4 June 2024 in line with published guidance relating to the pre election period it was requested that an officer decision be taken in relation to this item in lieu of the council meeting on the 4 June 2024.

Officers indicated that this decision could not wait until the next scheduled meeting of the council on the 23 July for the following reasons:-

·       Approval is urgently required to allow the continuation of the acquisition programme; to reduce reliance on Bed and Breakfast use (and revenue spend by the Council) as well as scheme approvals at Crescent Road, Darracott Road and Surrey Road for associated Temporary accommodation programmes and allow approvals to lead to building works commencement of new homes.