Issue - meetings

Councillor Cowan, Needham and Murphy asked Cabinet questions.  They inquired whether the sale of 300 properties was in breach of the Housing Act. It was commented that the Council had a legal duty to ensure that the sale of properties was not at the expense of people in need.  A view was expressed that anti social behaviour should not be a reason to sell Council housing stock while there were still people on the housing waiting list.

In response, Councillor Ivimy noted that the Council had engaged the community in arriving at this decision.  The current balance of tenure was very narrow restricting the level of investment. The proposal will create a more stable and balanced community generating more funds to invest back into the estate.  Contrary the views expressed, there will be no need to rehouse anyone from the estate.

RESOLVED:

1.   That the programme outlined in paragraph 3 of the report at a total estimated cost of £11.493m, subject to appropriate contract approval for individual projects be approved.

2.: That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Housing, in conjunction with the Director of Housing and Regeneration, to approve future amendments to the programme for operational reasons and where such amendments can be contained within the overall approved budget.