Decision

Decision:

1. Approve the acquisition of six properties to meet the objectives and funding requirements of the LAHF 4; and
2. Delegate authority to the Joint Director of Housing Services, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Housing and Corporate Services and the Joint Strategic Director of Finance and Resources, to make the key decisions required to purchase each of the individual properties needed to deliver this project.

Reason(s):

1. The project will facilitate the acquisition of homes that will be used for temporary accommodation for homeless families or for families on the Afghan Resettlement Programme. This aligns with the Council’s objective of using the means available to it to deliver decent and affordable homes for our residents as set out in its Corporate Strategy 2024-2034.
2. At its meeting on 12 May 2026, full Council resolved that a budget to deliver this project of £3,297,300 be added to the capital programme, of which £1,387,000 is LAHF Round 4 capital grant funding, with the balance being funded from the Housing Revenue Account.
3. With this budget now in place and to enable the Council to meet its commitments as set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between it and MHCLG and proceed with the necessary acquisitions in a timely manner, Officers are requesting the delegations as set out above.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

OPTION 1: Do not support the Officer’s recommendation

As set out above, Officers will not be able to proceed with the acquisition of the six properties necessary to meet the funding requirements without Executive approval. Further, Officers believe that not providing the delegated authority creates a risk that the Council will not be able to meet the deliverables set out in the MoU. This would delay delivery of the additional properties and potentially, in the worst case, lead to withdrawal of funding.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

None.