Decision

That Cabinet recommends to Council:

 

1.   
That TorVista Homes be
dissolved with effect from 1 April 2024, (or immediately following
transfer of all social housing units, if this is beyond this date),
with mandatory de-registration to the Regulator of Social Housing
by TorVista Homes in advance
and:

The Director of Pride in Place be instructed
to:
 

a.   
Commence tenant consultation (in line with current
requirements by the Regulator of Social Housing) in relation to the
proposal to transfer the social housing units, income and
liabilities into Torbay Council;

 

b.   
Instruct TorVista Homes
to maintain a continuous level of service to their tenants (in
accordance with all requirements for Registered Providers of social
housing, to at least the same standard as they currently receive),
including continuing to achieve mandatory compliance standards
until transfer of the homes has been completed;  and 

 

c.   
Develop detailed delivery plans, in consultation
with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Finance and Corporate Services
and all Group Leaders (or their nominees), setting out how the
Council will accelerate;

 

                                                        
i.   
the provision of new Affordable Housing, targeted to
meet Torbay’s local housing need, specifically
including;

 

1.         
Social Rented Housing; and

2.         
Affordable Rented Housing

 

                                                       
ii.   
The provision of accommodation for strategic
priority areas, including;

1.   
Extra
care

2.   
Supported
housing (for various client groups)

3.   
Temporary accommodation, and

4.   
Care experienced young people.

 

The Director of Finance, in consultation with the
Monitoring Officer and Cabinet Member for Housing, Finance and
Corporate Services, be given delegated authority to:

 

a.   
Subject to satisfactory completion of all necessary
due diligence, (and tenancy engagement), enter into the Capital
funding grant agreements with Homes England and to transfer all
social housing units, assets, liabilities and income from
TorVista Homes into the ownership and
management of Torbay Council; 
and
 

b.   
Upon completion of all satisfactory due diligence,
transfer any land or development assets owned by TDA or
TorVista Homes into the ownership of
Torbay Council, as required; 
and
 

The Head of Strategic Housing and Delivery, in
consultation with Cabinet Member for Housing, Finance and Corporate
Services, be given delegated authority to:

 

a.   
Subject to completion of a satisfactory procurement,
agree a suitable scope and extend the Council’s existing
Temporary Accommodation and property maintenance contract for a
further 12 months, with additional provision to include the
maintenance and compliance of any homes currently owned by
TorVista Homes that transfer to the
Council, should this be required; and

 

b.   
Apply for Investment Partner status on behalf of the
Council, and secure Homes England funding for any eligible future
directly provided affordable housing scheme.

 

2.   
That Council approve an annual revenue budget of
£150k for 2024/25 for the Council to fund and provide in
house, the management and operation of activities previously
undertaken by TVH.