Purpose

The council along with several other councils and registered housing providers in Essex is a member of the Rural Housing Enabler Advisory Group.
A memorandum of understanding sets out how the group will operate in order to provide affordable rural housing advice across Essex.
To facilitate the partnership each member makes an annual grant payment which is used by the Rural Communities Council for Essex to employ a Rural Housing Enabler who undertakes various activities aimed at improving rural affordable housing provision.

Decision

To enter into a memorandum of understanding and make a £1,500 grant contribution towards the Rural Housing Enabler Project for 2026/27

Alternative options considered

The MOU runs until 31 March 2028 and as such does not overlap with the formation of the new North Essex Unitary authority. A wider piece of work is being undertaken to determine how groups such as this will be constituted and funded once the unitary authorities are formed.