Decision details

RESOLVED that:

      i)        the report received from the Downshire Homes Board as at Appendix

A of the Director of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing report is noted.

     ii)        that the Council will extend nomination of households beyond those who are homeless, who have a learning disability and or autism or care leavers to include households where provision of accommodation can be demonstrated it is in the Council’s interests to nominate.

    iii)        the findings of the Social Finance Review of Downshire Homes Ltd are noted.

   iv)        the changes to the mortgage the Council provides to DHL to enable

purchase of properties as set out in paragraph 5.11 of the Director of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing’s report is agreed.

    v)        DHL is authorised to enter into a shared ownership agreement

for a specific property purchase described in paragraph 5.13 of Director of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing’s report, with the Borough

Treasurer and Legal Services authorised to approve the specific terms of the agreement.

DHL was established with a narrow focus to provide accommodation for homeless households, those with learning disabilities and care leavers. It has become apparent that DHL may be able to provide accommodation which the Council can nominate to that will meet other Council corporate objectives.

If the Council were to offer secure tenancies to households there would come a time when the number of tenancies would require the Council to re-open the housing revenue account. The present threshold is 200 properties.

Councillor Birch expressed an Affected Interest as a Director of Downshire Homes.

Councillor Heydon expressed an Affected Interest as a Director of Downshire Homes.

The Chief Executive, Timothy Wheadon expressed an Affected Interest as a Director of Downshire Homes.