Decision

The Cabinet Member for Housing & Environment noted that on 12 February 2025, the Leader of the Council gave approval to the use of £189,996 of commuted sums to enable the development of 12 new homes to be let on social rents, which will provide permanent supported accommodation for people with learning and physical disabilities on the site of Bredbury Civic Hall.

Since this time, Homes England has confirmed that it is not able to fund the group homes element of the project and can only provide funding for the self-contained apartments. Consequently, total funding from Homes England has reduced by £80,000. In addition, some additional offsite works been identified by Mosscare St Vincent Housing Group (MSV), with an associated additional cost of £170k. An additional £250,000 funding gap now therefore exists.

MSV has committed to cover £172,000 of the shortfall and GMCA has agreed to contribute an additional £54,000 of Brownfield Funding. The request to the Council is for an additional £24,000 of commuted sums moneys to cover the remaining shortfall.

The Cabinet Member for Housing & Environment has therefore and, subject to confirmation of additional GMCA Brownfield funding, authorised the use of an additional £24,000 of commuted sums funding (increasing the total commuted sums commitment on the project to £213,996) to enable the delivery of the 12 new homes to be let on social rents, which will be provide permanent supported accommodation for people with learning disabilities on the site of Bredbury Civic Hall, Bredbury Green, Stockport.

(NOTE: The report contained a ‘not for publication’ appendix that was circulated to the Leader of the Council only).

Alternative options considered

None.