Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Director of Place and Economy on the Investment in Community Land Trust projects using Devolution funding.

Cabinet had before it a report * from the Director of Place and Economy on the Investment in Community Land Trust projects using devolution funding.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Assets and Property Services outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

• As part of the Devon Devolution Deal, £8m of funding had been made available to support a range of important initiatives within the region with a particular focus on projects which could quickly deliver additional homes, green jobs or economic outputs and which may otherwise stall or be delayed. Owing to a short timetable for utilisation of this funding, projects had to be capable of commitment within this financial year – i.e. by 31^st March 2025.
• Within Mid Devon, two housing based projects were identified which could benefit from grant funding to quickly deliver outputs: a Care Leaver Housing scheme and a scheme to support Community Land Trust projects. This report was focused on the Community Land Trust scheme and the detail relating to how grant funding (£350k) was intended to be utilised.
• The funding, £350,000, was a relatively modest amount, but would be transformative in allowing Community Land Trust schemes to progress where they otherwise may stall. The expected beneficiaries of this funding were Chawleigh and Thorverton. Investment in those initiatives would benefit those communities, but would also support the District Council in realising the Council’s ambitions to ensure a diverse range of housing was delivered within this district to meet the needs of the Council residents.

Discussion took place regards to:

• As the beneficiaries Thorverton and Chawleigh were being considered would others be considered if they were rapidly produced as there was a 3 month period?
• Members welcomed the news on the project in Thorverton.

RESOLVED that:

1. The use of Devolution funding (£350k) to support the delivery of identified Community Land Trust projects within Mid Devon be APPROVED.

2. Grants delegated authority to the Director of Place and Economy, in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Assets and Property Services to enter into Grant Agreements with Devon County Council (as accountable body) and the relevant organisations associated with the CLT projects in order to enable spend of the grant funding and the delivery of associated outputs within the requisite timetables.

(Proposed by Cllr S Clist and seconded by Cllr S Keable)

Reason for Decision:

As set out above; legal agreements would need to be entered into in order to support the securing of grant funding by Mid Devon and to support onward transition to the CLT projects. The Agreements would set out the legal responsibilities between the respective bodies.

Note: * Report previously circulated.

Note:** Cllr N Bradshaw abstained from voting due to leaving the room during the discussion.