1.  That the use of the Renovation Grant budget for the years 2009/10 and 2010/11, as set out in Appendix A to the Report of the Assistant Director of Development and Community Services, noting the additional provisional for 2009/10 of £128,394 for decent homes and £135,000 for disabled facilities grant, which are ring-fenced by conditions for those purposes, be agreed.

2.  That delegated authority be given to the Chief Housing Officer to allocate funds between the budget headings, in consultation with the Director of Resources & Partnerships as outlined in Appendix A to the Report of the Assistant Director of Development and Community Services, in response to market conditions and to ensure best use of the budget. 

3.  That the enhanced service, to be delivered through the Handyperson service, be approved and funded through the existing grant.

4.  That an amendment to the Housing Assistance Policy to allow a differential rate for landlord grants which provides a higher percentage of grant assistance (75%) to landlords who are accredited under the Kent Landlords’ Accreditation Scheme and 50% to unaccredited landlords, be approved.

1.  That the Council enter into a contract with Fordham Research Ltd for the purchase of professional services to carry out a Strategic Housing Market Assessment, at a fixed price of £34,850.

2.  That the cost of the assessment be met from the Housing & Planning Delivery Grant (HPDG).