Decision

RESOLVED

Subject to Full Council approval of the associated budget:

i)               That the allocation of £547,144 of Section 106 Commuted Sum funding (‘the funding’) to Saxon Weald for refurbishing and retrofitting the five properties identified in exempt Appendix A to this report be approved; and

ii)              To authority be delegated to the Director of Place to (i) enter into the necessary funding agreement with, and to authorise the release of the funding to, Saxon Weald, and, (ii) undertake any other functions or enter into any other documentation required to give effect to this initiative.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

To approve the allocation of £547,144 of Section 106 Commuted Sum funding to the Housing Enabling Grants budget and to delegate authority to the Director of Resources and/or Section 151 Officer to profile this across the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years.

REASONS

i)               To prevent the permanent loss of five social rented family homes within the district and ensure the properties are returned to occupation for households on the Council's Housing Register.

ii)              To make effective use of Section 106 funding by protecting existing affordable housing stock, reducing future expenditure on temporary accommodation and supporting the Council's strategic housing objectives.

iii)             Full Council is responsible for setting the Council’s budget.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED AS IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT

Option 1 – Do nothing:

This option would likely result in the disposal of the five properties on the open market and the permanent loss of valuable social rented homes within the district.

Option 2 – Require Saxon Weald to fund the works independently: This option was considered but rejected as Saxon Weald has identified that the significant refurbishment costs make investment challenging without external support. Failure to secure funding may result in asset disposal.