Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing

Purpose of report

To seek approval for the expenditure of the capital grant received from the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Round 3.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1         To approve a capital grant to South Oxfordshire Housing Association (SOHA) for the delivery of new social housing within Cherwell from the grant received from MHCLG; Local Authority Housing Fund Round 3.

1.2         To approve the increase to the Council’s capital programme of £1.4m that arises from the report.

Resolved

(1)          That a capital grant to South Oxfordshire Housing Association (SOHA) for the delivery of new social housing within Cherwell from the grant received from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local government (MHCLG): Local Authority Housing Fund Round 3 be approved.

(2)          That the increase to the Council’s capital programme of £1.4m that arises from the report be approved.

The Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing submitted a report to seek approval for the expenditure of the capital grant received from the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Round 3.

In response to a question from the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Watkins, the Portfolio Holder for Housing explained that the grant would be used to deliver 8 units of accommodation with 4 units to be used as temporary accommodation for households owed a homelessness duty by the Council, and 4 units to be initially let (at first let only) to those on Afghan resettlement schemes. The units would be delivered at the end of March 2026 in accordance with grant conditions.

Resolved

(1)            That a capital grant to South Oxfordshire Housing Association (SOHA) for the delivery of new social housing within Cherwell from the grant received from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local government (MHCLG): Local Authority Housing Fund Round 3 be approved.

(2)            That the increase to the Council’s capital programme of £1.4m that arises from the report be approved.

Reasons

Delivering more social housing in district is a key objective and providing suitable, self-contained, housing for those in temporary accommodation is important. Accepting this grant is a way in which the council can enable more housing delivery, easing pressures, without significant financial expenditure or risk.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to transfer the grant to SOHA. The Council is under time pressure to deliver units as conditions of the grant. The government have provided the grant based on the Council’s assurance to deliver quickly. To use an alternative delivery method, which is not currently known, risks non-delivery and repayment of the grant. This is therefore rejected.