Issue - meetings

1)  That the revised Housing Assistance Policy as set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services be approved;

2)  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Housing and Communities to make minor amendments to the policy if required following the completion of the BRE stock condition survey and for the allocation of the capital budget to achieve the outcomes identified in the housing assistance policy; and

3)  That the action plan as set out in Appendix II to the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services be approved.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services relating to a revised Housing Assistance Policy.

Members noted that the policy succeeded the previous policy that was adopted in 2014 and has now ended.  The revised policy would run until 2020 and set out how the Council would use its powers under the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 which set out how it intended to apply its discretion to develop schemes having regard to the needs of the borough, the availability of funding and the Council’s priorities.

The scheme included the provision of mandatory disabled facilities grants that are delivered by the Council under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended).

Members were appraised of the schemes that are contained within the Housing Assistance Policy which included the Home Hazard Grant, Disabled Facilities Grant, Home Assistance (Draft Scheme) and Empty Property Grant.

RESOLVED:

1)  That the revised Housing Assistance Policy as set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services be approved;

2)  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Housing and Communities to make minor amendments to the policy if required following the completion of the BRE stock condition survey and for the allocation of the capital budget to achieve the outcomes identified in the housing assistance policy; and

3)  That the action plan as set out in Appendix II to the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services be approved.

Voting:  For:  8  Against:  0  Abstentions:  0