Issue - meetings

This Item was chaired Councillor Mike Todd-Jones

Matter for Decision

The report presented a summary of the 2016/17 outturn position (actual income and expenditure) for services within the Housing Revenue Account, compared to the current budget for the year.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

     i.        Approved the carry forward requests totalling £57,060 revenue funding from 2016/17 to 2017/18, as detailed in Appendix C of the Officer’s report, noting that none are proposed for this portfolio on this occasion.

    ii.        Approved Carry forward requests of £3,091,000 in capital resources from 2016/17 to 2017/18 to fund rephased net capital spending, as detailed in Appendix D of the Officer’s report.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Business Manager / Principal Accountant (Housing) said the following in response to Members’ questions:

     i.        Explained that the Community Housing Fund Grant was a two year initiative to encourage Community Land Trusts, Self-Build Projects and other affordable housing option. Officers undertook to investigate the possibility of using this funding for imaginative solutions to older people housing needs.

    ii.        Explained why there appeared to be an underspend in the Homelessness spend at a time when the perceived needs were high. This was due to increased prevention activities that were proving successful at intervening before families and individuals became homeless.

   iii.        Clarified that the Empty Homes Loan Fund was a one off figure that would be recycled as loans were repaid. There had been a slow take up of the loans due to staffing vacancies. However, talks were on-going with the owners of a number of empty properties.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.