Decision details

Decision to purchase four family-sized homes.

That the Strategic Director for Economy, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance:

1. Agrees that Appendix 2 is not for publication on the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that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. Approves the decision to acquire 11 Tamarisk Square and associated expenditure of £682,547 against the existing approved RHP capital budget of £16,800,000.

3. Agrees to enter into the contract for sale and transfer deed for the purchase of the Property.

This decision requests authority to purchase this property under the RHP. The leader’s urgency decision approved in July 2023 established a capital budget for this programme, and confirmed that individual acquisitions would be subject to distinct decision reports to be approved by the Strategic Director for Economy in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance.

Reason for Urgency:

This report is urgent because this purchase must be completed by Wednesday 20 December. Failing to complete by this date will mean that the completion must wait until the new year and it will become difficult to carry out the works required to let the property to this family in good time ahead of the end of their current housing arrangements.

Option A – Approve the recommendations within this report

This is the recommended option as it will enable the council to support effective refugee resettlement in line with its wider ambitions to become a borough of sanctuary, and provide new, much-needed affordable housing.

Option B – Refuse the recommendations within this report (not recommended)

This option is not recommended on the basis that it would lead to a good-quality affordable home likely being sold on the open market rather than put towards refugee resettlement and longer-term affordable housing.