Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1)  That the Director of Finance and Business Improvement is granted delegated authority to conclude negotiations with property owners, and approve on a case by case basis (in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of this Committee, and the ward Councillors), the purchase of up to 13 properties, for use as temporary accommodation for homeless persons.

2)  That delegated authority is given to the Head of Mid Kent Legal Services to complete the purchases on the agreed terms.

3)  That details of any completed purchases are reported back to the next meeting of the Committee following the acquisition(s).

Voting:  For - 9  Against - 5  Abstentions - 0

The Director of Regeneration and Place presented his report to the committee. The report referred to the previous decision of the Communities, Housing and Environment Committee on the Temporary Accommodation Strategy, which committed the council to purchasing 13 properties to be used for temporary accommodation for homeless households. However the market conditions meant that decisions on each of these properties had to be reached as quickly as possible. Therefore the report was seeking delegated authority to complete the property acquisitions, with consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the committee.

The committee raised concerns with a previous property that had been proposed for temporary accommodation which was not suitable for the council’s needs. The committee therefore suggested that ward councillors should also be consulted with, as they would know their local area the best.

In response to a question from the committee, the Director of Regeneration and Place clarified that consultation would be informal and could take place by email rather than requiring a meeting.

RESOLVED:

1)  That the Director of Finance and Business Improvement is granted delegated authority to conclude negotiations with property owners, and approve on a case by case basis (in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of this Committee, and the ward Councillors), the purchase of up to 13 properties, for use as temporary accommodation for homeless persons.

2)  That delegated authority is given to the Head of Mid Kent Legal Services to complete the purchases on the agreed terms.

3)  That details of any completed purchases are reported back to the next meeting of the Committee following the acquisition(s).

Voting:  For - 9  Against - 5  Abstentions - 0

Councillor English requested his dissent be noted on this decision.