Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bennett, Jobson and Wetenhall.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development.

The Leader presented Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Round 3 Funding to consider the recommendations set out in the report and made the following points:

·         the Executive considered the report last week; and

·         Option 2 was the preferred choice, which would require a £297,000 contribution from Council.

Councillor Moore as co-Leader of the Progressive Group welcomed the report and asked that the Portfolio Holder provide an update in six months on the resettlement matching process.

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Knott spoke in support of the proposal making the following points:

·         he had recently attended the Respect Festival and met some of those who have been supported in the previous housing schemes;

·         this proposal and Option 2 also supported the reduction in local housing need; and

·         he endorsed the report and sought Members to vote in support of the recommendations.

The Leader in summing up agreed to request that a Portfolio Holder report be presented to a future Scrutiny Committee to update Members on the resettlement process.

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations for Option 2 to be supported and following the vote was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED that Council agree Option 2 as follows:

1)    to accept the full allocation of £594,000 in DLUHC grant funding;

2)    the purchase of (four) properties off the open market;

3)    that the Council’s Capital contribution be funded through £297,000 of S106 funds;

4)    the identification and purchase of suitable properties to let;

5)    that the rents be set at affordable rates in accordance with the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding between DLUHC and Exeter City Council and the DLUHC recommended rental funding model Rent Standard – April 2023;

6)    that the MOU be signed and returned to DLUHC by the 12th of June 2024 confirming the Council’s participation in the programme; and

7)    that delegated authority be granted to the Director of City Development and Housing and the relevant Portfolio Holder to proceed with the acquisitions and to amend the number of properties purchased in line with the agreement above and including where additional government grant may become available (provided that no further capital contribution is required from Exeter City Council).

Details of questions should be notified to the Democratic Services Team at least three working days prior to the meeting - by 10am on Wednesday 5 June 2024.

Further information and a copy of the procedure with details about speaking at Council can be found here: Public Speaking at Meetings.

There were no questions from members of the public.

Details of questions should be notified to the Democratic Services Manager by no later than 10am on Friday 7 June 2024.

There were no questions from Members.