WRITTEN RECORD OF A DECISION IN RESPECT OF AN EXECUTIVE FUNCTION TO BE COMPLETED BY THE RELEVANT DECISION-MAKER AND PROPER OFFICER | ||||||||||
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DECISION-MAKER: | Cabinet | |||||||||
DATE OF DECISION-MAKING: | 16th June 2003 | |||||||||
PORTFOLIO AREA: | Housing and Homes | |||||||||
DECISION REFERENCE: | CAB0008-2003JUN16 | |||||||||
SUBJECT TITLE: | Allocation of the 2003/2004 Housing Association Programme | |||||||||
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This record relates to the report appearing as item 11 on the agenda for the Decision-Making. | ||||||||||
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A copy of the report is available from: | Natasha Hart Tel: 023 8083 2632 Email: n.hart@southampton.gov.uk | |||||||||
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THE DECISION | | |||||||||
Having read the report, including its recommendations and proposals, and following consideration of all other relevant matters, the decision-maker made the following decision. | ||||||||||
Tick 4 ONE only, and complete the details if necessary. Delete all that do not apply. | ||||||||||
1. | 4 | To approve the proposals / recommendations contained in the report | ||||||||
| | without modification as set out below. | ||||||||
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REASONS FOR THE DECISION | ||||||||||
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| · The Council’s Housing Strategy 2003-2007 sets as a key priority the provision of more affordable housing in the City. This priority reflects the high levels if housing need in the City confirmed by the Housing Needs & Housing Market Survey Update 2002, which identified a shortfall of 1,441 affordable housing units each year in the City to 2011. · The approval of the revised Housing Association programme combined with the Housing Corporation’s funding programme will contribute positively to the Housing Strategy’s priorities and the Medium Term Plan’s target to provide 300 new affordable homes in the city in 2003/04. · The allocation of housing association programme funding to the nine new housing association schemes outlined in this report will also enable the Council to submit claims for transitional funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), to help meet the costs that will be incurred by the Council as a result of the abolition of LASHG with effect from 1st April 2003. | |||||||||
DETAILS OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED | ||||||||||
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| · Formal scheme approval for all 9 of the proposed housing association projects outlined in this report could be sought. However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not yet announced the detailed arrangements for transitional funding. The Council is therefore unable to fully assess the revenue impact of committing the whole of the £2.310 Million contained in the 2003/4 new starts section of the housing association programme. It would therefore be premature to seek scheme approval for projects where there are no existing financial or contractual commitments at this stage. However indicative allocations to five schemes are being recommended in this report to enable them to be submitted to the ODPM for transitional funding. · In response to the government’s announcement to abolish LASHG the Council could decide not to proceed with the existing housing association programme included within the Housing and Homes Portfolio’s General fund Capital Programme. However, this option has been rejected given the high level of housing need in the city and in recognition that contractual and financial commitments already exist on a number of schemes included in the programme. A key priority of the Housing Strategy and the targets for new affordable homes set out in the Medium Term Plan and the City Performance Plan would also not be achieved if this option were pursued. | |||||||||
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OTHER RELEVANT MATTERS CONCERNING THE DECISION | ||||||||||
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The following relevant matters not contained in the report were considered when making the decision: | ||||||||||
| NONE | |||||||||
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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DECLARED AND DISPENSATIONS GRANTED | ||||||||||
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Tick 4 ONE only, and complete the details if necessary. | ||||||||||
| 4 | * The decision-maker(s) did not declare a personal or prejudicial interest in the | ||||||||
| | matters set out in the report. | ||||||||
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SIGNATURE OF DECISION MAKER OR PERSON PRESIDING AND PROPER OFFICER | ||||||||||
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We certify that the decision this document records was made in accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 and is a true and accurate record of that decision. | ||||||||||
| Decision Maker or Person Presiding | Councillor Vinson | Dated: | 16th June 2003 | ||||||
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| Proper Officer | Sandra Grainger | Dated: | 16th June 2003 | ||||||
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“Proper Officer” means the Solicitor to the Council or their nominated representative. This function will usually be discharged by the Democratic Support Officer appointed to support the decision-making. | ||||||||||
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FOR USE BY DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT AND MEMBERS’ SERVICES Call In Period | ||||||||||
Date of Call-in (if applicable) (this suspends implementation) | ||||||||||
23rd June, 2003 | ||||||||||
Call-in Procedure completed (the decision may now be implemented) | ||||||||||
Results of Call-in / any other comments / observations: | ||||||||||