Issue - items at meetings - 25 Year Management Agreements - Temporary Accommodation

Report of Director of Adult Social Care & Housing (copy attached).

(1)       That the Council be authorised to enter into Management Agreements for up to 25 years in accordance with the terms of the report.

(2)       That authority be delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care & Housing to negotiate the final Heads of Terms with each landlord in consultation with the council’s Valuer, the Head of Law and Finance and Property.

28.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Care & Housing which sought a general authority for the Director of Adult Social Care & Housing to enter into Management Agreements of up to 25 years for the purposes of providing accommodation for households who would otherwise be homeless or overcrowded (for copy see minute book).  The scheme would provide an alternative to the existing medium-term arrangements that the Council used for leasing property thereby providing more settled and secure accommodation.         

28.2    Councillor Simpson stated that she could see the benefit for tenants of moving into accommodation for a longer period.  However, she was surprised if many private landlords would be interested in such a long term let.  The Assistant Director of Housing replied that the landlords’ preference was for 25 years leases.  This would be an opportunity of gaining family sized units.   There would be a break clause on both sides. 

28.3    Councillor Simpson asked what happened in relation to housing benefit when a family had lived in a house for a long time and the children left home.   The Assistant Director of Housing replied that the allocations policy had changed.  Families who worked would have a higher priority for alternative housing. 

28.4    The Cabinet Member stated that the proposals were an advancement on the 10 year management arrangements.   She had spoken to tenants who considered that 10 years was not long enough for their security. 

28.5    RESOLVED – Having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:

(1)       That the Council be authorised to enter into Management Agreements for up to 25 years in accordance with the terms of the report.

(2)       That authority be delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care & Housing to negotiate the final Heads of Terms with each landlord in consultation with the council’s Valuer, the Head of Law and Finance and Property.