Issue - meetings

The appendix to the report contains exempt information during which the public is likely to be excluded from the meeting subject to determination by the Scrutiny Committee following consideration of a public interest test.  This exclusion would be made under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Matter for Decision 

The report presented an update on the Council’s intermediate housing company, Cambridge City Housing Company Limited (CCHC).

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Strategy and External Partnerships

i.               Noted the comments of the Strategy & Resources Scrutiny Committee on the draft Business Plan; and

ii.             Informed the Board of Directors of Cambridge City Housing Company of the comments of the Strategy & Resources Scrutiny Committee/Council for consideration in finalising the Business Plan

iii.            Requested a further review of the Housing Company’s acquisition policy and future plans prior to the Council’s loan refinancing due in April 2022.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Scrutiny Considerations

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Finance.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

i.               Noted that when the Housing Company was originally set up, properties were put into the company which the council intended to let at sub-market rent. Asked what level this was in relation to market rent.

ii.             Noted that properties released from the Housing Revenue Account which were used to house homeless people was an expansion of Town Hall lettings which was previously run through the private sector. The existing programme intended to provide sub-market rents.

The Scrutiny Committee resolved by 5 votes to 0 to exclude members of the public from the meeting on the grounds that, if they were present, there would be disclosure to them of information defined as exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.  Responses to the members’ questions are not included within the minutes as these were provided during exempt session.

The Committee unanimously endorsed the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted) 

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.