Issue - meetings

A report was submitted which informed the Committee that the Council, in partnership with Transform Housing and Support (Transform) had the opportunity to apply to Homes England for grant funding to purchase two further ‘Move-On' homes in the District. This would be part of a joint East Surrey bid with Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead and Epsom & Ewell  for funding to purchase eight Move-On properties across the four local authority areas, with each local authority committing to grant fund 25% of the scheme cost.

In Tandridge, the homes would take the form of 2 x one bedroom flats, to provide supported housing for former rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping. The report sought approval to proceed with the joint bid and to use commuted sums in the form of local authority grant to Transform to support the purchases

Officers explained that the circumstances had changed since the report was written and that Homes England had advised that the total grant available for the East Surrey bid had been significantly reduced due to pressures on their budget and that the need was low in comparison to proposals submitted from other parts of the country. The East Surrey Partnership had collectively agreed that this was no longer value for money for the local authorities and decided against pursuing the bid at this time.

Members still considered the paper and its recommendations as the financial situation may change over time and a bid may be pursued if a value for money solution is offered. 

R E S O L V E D – that:

A.        approval be given to participate in a joint Homes England bid with the 3 other East Surrey Local Authorities in partnership with Transform Housing and Support for funding from the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme;

B.        use of commuted sums of up to 25% of the total scheme cost, subject to a maximum of £50,000 per unit (total £100,000) be approved and given by way of grant to support Transform Housing and Support in the purchase of two properties in Tandridge to provide housing with support for rough sleepers, former rough sleepers or those at risk of rough sleeping; and

C.        authority to be delegated to the Head of Legal Services to agree the terms of the necessary nomination and funding agreements in support of the proposal should the bid be successful.