Purpose

For a budget approval and to
update Cabinet on the steps being taken to acquire units where
private landlords are evicting tenants.
 

Decision

For the reasons set out in
the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree:
 

i) 
The terms of the preventative eviction acquisition
programme set out in the report at paragraph 4.11-4.18.

 

ii) 
To an initial budget of £20m to be funded from
existing approved capital budget.
 

iii) 
To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of
Resources, in consultation with the Lead Members for Housing
Management and Modernisation and Finance and Resources, to
determine the appropriate property arrangements for the individual
acquisitions, whether by third party leasing as set out in
paragraphs 5.3-5.9 below or through property management
arrangements for and on behalf of the Council by managing agents as
set in paragraph 5.10, and to enter into all necessary and
associated legal and contractual documentation for each
arrangement. 

 

iv) 
To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Resources, in
consultation with the Cabinet member for Finance and Resources, to
approve any necessary procurement process and to award a contract
or contracts necessary to carry out this acquisition programme.
 
Alternatives
Considered
 
a) 
To take no action and maintain the current level of
expenditure, with an anticipated overspend against budget of
£2.0m in quarter 1 2023/24 homelessness financial position,
on the provision of over 5,883 homeless households within temporary
accommodation. This option has been rejected as it would not reduce
the current level of costs.