Issue - meetings

Report from the Executive Director – Housing, Regeneration & Development.  (Key decision – reference number 5640)

Cllr George Savva (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration, seeking approval of the delivery strategy for meeting the Council’s statutory homelessness responsibilities over the next five years. The context of the current housing and homelessness situation in the borough was set out.

Officers provided information in respect of modular housing, and its use in other London boroughs, and on repurposing of assets.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

I.  Agree the delivery strategy for meeting the Council’s statutory homelessness responsibilities over the next 5-years as set out in the report.

II.  Note that requests from Housing Gateway for an additional equity contribution from Enfield Council in order to facilitate the acquisition or lease of properties for use as temporary accommodation and private rented accommodation for the purpose of discharging the Council’s homelessness duty are to be anticipated and that any such requests will be referred to Cabinet for approval or to Council if it falls outside the Council approved budget.

III.  Note that a review of the HRA Business Plan is underway, which will identify capacity within the capital programme to enable the delivery of Modular Housing.

IV.  Agree £330k HRA revenue spend related to feasibility studies of modular housing.

V.  Delegate to the Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and the Director of Law and Governance, authority to dispose of, appropriate, lease or otherwise acquire any land, building or property in furtherance of the agreed delivery strategy, subject to compliance with the General Disposal Consent (England) 2003 and any other consents or requirements but not including the disposal or appropriation of any Open Space.

VI.  Delegate to the Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and the Director of Law and Governance, authority to procure any works or services necessary to support delivery of the strategy up to a maximum cost of £3m per contract.

VII.  Delegate to the Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to release General Fund assets to the HRA, Housing Gateway Limited (HGL) or other parties for the purposes of increasing the supply of accommodation for homeless and at-risk households subject to compliance with the General Disposal Consent (England) 2003 and any other consents or requirements.

The report sets out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

(Key decision – reference number 5640)