Issue - meetings

Note:              Councillor P. Key left the Chamber at 7.29pm and returned at 7.33pm

The Committee heard from the Homes, Health & Wellbeing Team Manager regarding the approach to delivery of Local Authority Housing Fund Round 3, as set out in the business case provided to Members, and seeking to gain approval for the budgets and expenditure required to deliver the project. It was explained that the Local Authority Housing Fund Round 3 (LAHF 3) was announced by the Department for Levelling Up Homes and Communities in March 2024 proposing to fund more high-quality temporary accommodation for homeless families, and provide housing for those on the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme. West Lindsey District Council had submitted an Expression of Interest in March 2024 to LAHF 3 which proposed to deliver both units of temporary accommodation and resettlement units in the district, hearing on 30 July 2024 that the application for a capital grant had been successful.

The Committee were reminded that delegated decisions had been in place for the submission of the Expression of Interest and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, and the report being presented at this time was to present the business case as detailed in both those decisions. The business case provided details on the proposed delivery methods for both the temporary accommodation units and the resettlement accommodation. It was also highlighted that the LAHF 3 did not provide full grant funding and as such, there was a requirement from the Local Authority to contribute towards the capital scheme, for which it was requested to use Section 106 funding.

Members of the Committee wholeheartedly supported the proposals. In response to an enquiry regarding data protection implications and whether the Council was aware of families located in the District under the resettlement scheme, who may then require additional support, it was explained that the scheme was delivered by North Kesteven District Council, however if additional support was required, the individuals concerned would provide consent to share information with West Lindsey District Council, in order to provide that support.

Having been proposed and seconded, the Chairman took the vote, and it was unanimously

            RESOLVED that

a)    the full business case (provided to Members as appendix one of the report), which included the approach to delivery of the LAHF 3 project, be agreed; and

b)    the allocation and expenditure of up to £310.7k of Section 106 funding required to deliver this project be approved; and

c)    the establishment and expenditure of a budget within the capital programme for the £1.29 million of external funding be approved; and

d)    authority for the expenditure of up to £821.4k to appointed Registered Provider partner, secured through a Grant Funding Agreement, for delivery of the resettlement element of the project be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services.