Purpose

This agreement sets out the terms under which the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) provides £489,707 funding to the Council to deliver the Empty Homes and Leasing Programme (EHLP) from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.

Decision

(i)                That the Council approves the acceptance of £489,707 in grant funding from the GMCA.

(ii)             That the Council enters into a grant funding agreement with GMCA and agrees the terms and conditions set out in the agreement. 

(iii)           That the Council approves the expenditure of this funding in accordance with the requirements set out in the Grant Funding Agreement.

(iv)            That authority for the utilisation of the Empty Homes and Leasing Programme Fund be delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Estates.

Reasons for the decision

To obtain approval to accept the allocated funding and to ensure delivery against the intended objectives as outlined in the report.

Alternative options considered

The option to decline the grant funding was considered but ultimately discounted, as there is a Statutory requirement for Tameside Council to deliver a strategy.