Issue - meetings

This reports seeks Executive approval to adopt an acquisitions and disposals policy for a small number of council houses, with all sales proceeds from disposals being ringfenced for the acquisition of replacement homes.

Resolved:

                      i.         Approved the adoption of the Housing Revenue Account Acquisitions and Disposals Policy attached at Appendix A;

                     ii.         Approved the delegated authorities set out in the Housing Revenue Account Acquisitions and Disposals Policy to enable the acquisition and disposal of council homes which meet the criteria set out in the policy;

                    iii.        Noted that updates on acquisitions and disposals will be included in future Housing Delivery Programme Executive updates.

Reason:     To enable the acquisition and disposal of council homes which meet the criteria set out in the policy

The Head of Housing Delivery and Asset Management introduced the report. He outlined the policy proposal to sell some Council properties that were deemed too expensive or difficult to maintain or retrofit. He confirmed that these sales would allow the Council to continue improving its current housing stock and increase the number of new Council properties. The Director of Housing and Communities highlighted that the Council’s previous policy was from 2022 and the new policy would provide greater transparency around when the Council disposes of a property.

The Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities confirmed that this policy would codify Council policy. He confirmed that the policy would assist in identifying properties that were too expensive or difficult to maintain or retrofit and seek to sell those properties when the receipt could provide one or more than one for one replacements. He also confirmed that the policy would only consider the sale of empty properties and not properties currently rented out to Council tenants.

Resolved:

                      i.         Approved the adoption of the Housing Revenue Account Acquisitions and Disposals Policy attached at Appendix A;

                     ii.         Approved the delegated authorities set out in the Housing Revenue Account Acquisitions and Disposals Policy to enable the acquisition and disposal of council homes which meet the criteria set out in the policy;

                    iii.        Noted that updates on acquisitions and disposals will be included in future Housing Delivery Programme Executive updates.

Reason:     To enable the acquisition and disposal of council homes which meet the criteria set out in the policy