Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Housing and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He advised that there was now another opportunity to purchase more new homes for the Council’s portfolio. He advised that the funds were available therefore not requiring borrowing and proposed giving  authority to the Head of Housing and Property to authorise bids for residential property and land at auction without the requirement to keep reporting back to Cabinet

In response to a question from Councillor R Blunt, Councillor R D Bayliss advised that he was not aware of any long time planning to continue purchasing properties, however in principal it was an ideal way to obtain more Council homes in small villages.

Councillor T Gillard was pleased to support the report and felt that the Corporate Portfolio Holder should be included when agreeing the amounts for any bids at auction.

Councillor R Blunt stated that it was a very good report and that it helped to put money back into the local housing building trade and provided the Council with more social housing for a good price.

It was moved by Councillor R D Bayliss, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The purchase of four new homes from Chevin Homes at Newbold Coleorton as detailed in the confidential appendix to the report be approved.

2.    The purchase of three new homes from Monument Seven Limited at Osgathorpe as detailed in the confidential appendix to the report be approved.

3.    Authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Property in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Section 151 Officer to authorise bids for residential property and land at auction in accordance with the parameters set out in the report and the approved acquisition policy.

Reason for decision: To acquire additional properties to increase the housing options for home seekers on the housing register.