Purpose

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities has launched a second round of Local Authority Housing
Funding for Local Authorities in England to provide accommodation
to families with housing needs who have arrived in the UK via the
Afghan resettlement and relocation schemes. RBBC has been offered
grant funding to purchase 4 further properties under this round and
agreement is sought to accept this funding, commit the required
additional funding from Council reserves, and to proceed to
purchase, refurbish and let the properties.

Decision

RESOLVED – that the Executive agrees that:

The Chief Finance Officer be authorised to

(i)              
Agree to and sign the Memorandum of Understanding with DLUHC in
order to secure grant funding from the Local Authority Housing Fund
and comply with the associated terms.

The Head of Housing be authorised in consultation with the Chief
Finance Officer, Strategic Head of Legal & Governance,
Executive Member for Commercial & Community Assets, Executive
Member for Finance, Governance & Organisation, and Executive
Member for Housing & Support, to:

(ii)            
Use up to £824,800 of Local Authority Housing Fund (grant
funding), to purchase and refurbish up to 4 properties, to be
retained in the Council’s ownership, for use as temporary
accommodation and let to households that meet the criteria set out
by DLUHC;

(iii)          
Release up to £1.033 million from Section 106 reserves as
match funding when purchasing the 4 properties that will be
retained in the Council’s ownership;

(iv)          
Obtain any necessary surveys, planning consents, quotes and
tenders as required to carry out refurbishment work; and

(v)            
Appoint and enter contracts as required, with legal advisors,
consultants, suppliers and builders.