Issue - meetings

B Report of the Chief Executive (Copy herewith)

2.1            Cabinet reviewed the contents of the report.

2.2            Cabinet approved the release of HRA capital reserves to cover the committed final expenditure for 6 dwellings at Upton Place (at paragraph 3.6.2.2 of the report)

Councillor Beardsworth questioned whether additional costs of the valuations of properties had been included in report.

Councillor Smith stated that there was a need for potentially homeless families to be treated as priority cases as there was a need for them to be cared for to ensure they did not face homelessness. She reported that there was a need for the housing stock to be protected and hoped that the Social Lettings Agency would assist residents who were vulnerable to homelessness.

In the absence of the Cabinet Member for Finance, the Chief Finance Officer elaborated on the report and noted that both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account had forecast underspends. He commented that pressures had been experienced in Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation due to sharp rise in the number of households applying to the Council for assistance under the homelessness legislation. The Chief Finance Officer further reported that Officers were currently delivering on the purchase of six properties at Princess Marina at 55% of open market value.  Additionally, final payment was made in Quarter 2 for the purchase of 6 properties at Upton Place of £272k to which Cabinet budget approval was made in 2016/2017.

RESOLVED:

2.1            That the contents of the report be reviewed.

2.2            That the release of HRA capital reserves to cover the committed final expenditure for 6 dwellings at Upton Place (at paragraph 3.6.2.2 of the report) be approved.