Decision - Use of General Consents to Lease Properties to Brighton & Hove Seaside Community Homes

1.      That Cabinet agrees  to consult with Housing Management Consultative Committee and Brighton & Hove Seaside Community Homes  on the use of general consent A5.4.1of the General Housing Consents 2005 to lease to Brighton and Hove Seaside Community Homes the 106 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) dwellings approved for leasing by Full Council on 9 October 2008 and such other Housing Revenue Account dwellings (up to a maximum of 499 in total, including  the 106 properties) within a five year period that satisfy the criteria previously agreed by Cabinet and Council.

2.      That Cabinet notes that Cabinet and Council (24 September 2008 & 9 October 2008 respectively) delegated the power to make decisions on the inclusion of individual properties to the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing after consulting with the Cabinet Member for Housing.

3.      That Cabinet confirms the powers already delegated and, for the avoidance of doubt authorises the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to take all steps necessary, incidental or conducive to the achievement and implementation of the proposals in 2.1 above.

4.      That Cabinet agrees that the issue regarding funding options and any decision associated with that remain    delegated to the Cabinet Committee consisting of the Leader, the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Cabinet member for Finance.

The report recommends consultation with HMCC & BHSCH and consideration of financial implications of use of general consent for the Council to lease homes to BHSCH as a potential alternative option should permission to lease sought from the Secretary of State not be forthcoming or delayed to such an extent that it is impractical in terms of achieving project timetable and the necessary investment in improving council homes.

The report seeks permission to consult HMCC & BHSCH on evaluation of using general consent to lease empty HRA properties to BHSCH as a potential alternative option to the pursuit of the existing preferred option of seeking express consent to lease from the Secretary of State.