Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report which presented an updated Housing Assistance Policy for approval.  The Policy revision sought to amend the existing approach to DFGs and enhance their scope and impact.  Furthermore the policy sought to introduce a completely new offer for Private Sector Renewal (PSR). The report further sought approval of additional finances required to provide the assistance offered through the Policy.  

Members were advised of two omissions / errors contained within the report.  Paragraph 8.1.2 of the Policy should read DBS check as opposed to CBR; and the table at 6.2 of the report should have included £100k of capital receipts.  Members noted these two points.

In presenting the report Officers outlined in detail the types of support which the Policy would offer as set out in Sections 4.1 and 7.2 of the report.  In respect of 7.2, since writing the report it had been suggested that the First Time Buyer initiative should be amended to simply be an Empty Property Buyer initiative.  The rationale for this was explained and Members were agreeable to the amendment.

In response to Member comments and questions, Officers advised that where a charge against land was made to recover costs, costs recovered in respect of DFGs were allocated to capital receipts, whereas costs recovered in respect of PSR works would be re-invested and used to fund further work under the Scheme.  The PSR assistance would only be available in Gainsborough, as the funding which supported the programme was from a pot of funding relating to the Regeneration and Growth of Gainsborough, which had been allocated within the Capital Programme sometime ago. Furthermore, with such finite and limited resources it was hoped that the targeting of resources would see a greater impact and would support the proactive work currently being undertaken in the area using statutory measures.

In light of the information provided it was proposed and seconded that recommendation a) be amended to read “approve the Housing Assistance policy as set out in Appendix 3 to come into effect on 1 June 2018 subject to the policy being amended as follows: - all references to the First Time Buyer initiative be amended to read Empty Property Buyer initiative”

On being put to the vote the amendment was carried and on that basis it was RESOLVED that:

(a)     the Housing Assistance Policy, as set out in Appendix 3, be approved to come into effect on 1 June 2018, subject to the Policy being amended as follows: - all references to the First time buyer initiative being amended to read Empty Property buyer initiative

(b)     it be RECOMMENDED to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee that the earmarked reserve allocated for private sector renewal be released to fund the assistance offered within the Policy.

Note:         Councillor Gillian Bardsley, during consideration of the above item, declared a pecuniary interest as landlord and left the meeting.  Councillor Mrs Bardsley did not take part in the deliberations or vote on the above item of business but did return to the meeting thereafter.