Decision details

In response to local housing association divestment from the Supported Housing Market, this paper asks for approvals for property acquisition decisions to be delegated to the relevant Strategic Director in consultation with their Cabinet Member and the Strategic Director for Finance.

Reasons for urgency:

Properties are being sold during February and March 2023 hence the need for urgent decision.

Delegated approval will enable Council decision making to be sufficiently responsive and agile to a complex and varying set of factors informing each acquisition decision.

Delegated approval will enable the Council to work with the GLA in a short timeframe to secure any possible grant funding available.

1.     To agree that Appendix 1 is not for publication on the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

2.     To approve one off capital spend up to the agreed maximum value outlined in appendix 1 (and associated costs of borrowing) be delegated to the Strategic Director of Finance in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Finance and Reform, Children and Education and Social Inclusion and Community Safety.  

3.     To approve spend of possible GLA grant secured up to the agreed maximum value outlined in appendix 1 be delegated to the Strategic Director of Finance in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Finance and reform, Children and Education and Social Inclusion and Community Safety.

4.     To delegate authority for the purchase of each property to the Strategic Director of Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Finance and Reform, Children and Education and Social Inclusion and Community safety and the Assistant Director, Legal Services.

Delegated approval will enable Council decision making to align with the timescales for acquisitions and be sufficiently responsive and agile to a complex and varying set of factors informing each acquisition decision.

Doing nothing may put residents and service users at risk from local housing association divestment. Risks include vulnerable people becoming street homeless; young people in the Council’s care having to move from a stable in borough accommodation placement to out of borough accommodation away from their peer and wider support networks. All of these having a potential adverse impact on the Council’s reputation.