Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the reports, minutes and recommendations of the recent meetings as follows:

(1)   Cabinet

-        10 May 2018

-        23 May 2018

-        14 June 2018

2)    Scrutiny Committee

-            21 May 2018

-            18 June 2018 (to follow)

(3)  Audit Committee

-      29 May 2018

(4)  Environment Policy Development Group

-            15 May 2018

(5)  Homes Policy Development Group

-            22 May 2018

(6)   Economy Policy Development Group

-             17 May 2018

(7)  Community Policy Development Group

-            29 May 2018

(8)  Planning Committee

-            16 May 2018

-            13 June 2018

(9)   Standards Committee

-             6 June 2018

The Leader presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 10 May 2018.

Arising from a report of the Group Manager for Housing Services, the Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the Cabinet recommend to Council that:

a)    The Community Led Housing Fund Grant Policy be adopted and endorsed so that it can be used within the Council’s District.

b)    That Members support the framework for the allocation of grants as presented within the report.

c)    Should any disagreements occur then the final decision should be delegated to the Director of Operations in conjunction with the Cabinet Member.

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Group Manager for Housing, the Homes Policy Development Group had considered the report and had recommended the Cabinet recommend to Council that:

a)    The Community Led Housing Fund Grant Policy be adopted and endorsed so that it can be used within the Council’s District.

b)    That Members support the framework for the allocation of grants as presented within the report.

c)    Should any disagreements occur then the final decision should be delegated to the Director of Operations in conjunction with the Cabinet Member.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report highlighting some corrections that were required to the report:

·         The reference to “in conjunction with” in recommendation c) should be changed to “in consultation with”

·         Paragraph 1.5, remove mention of the ‘Home and Communities Agency’ and replace with ‘Homes England’

·         Paragraph 1.11 remove mention of three Cabinet Members and replace with two

He informed the meeting of the Government funding for the project which would aid those local groups who wished to establish community led housing projects and explained the grant funding process.

Consideration was given to:

·         How the scheme would be managed and implemented

·         How the scheme would be advertised

·         The allocation process

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr Mrs M E Squires)

Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive a report from the Group Manager for Housing. In 2016/2017 Mid Devon District Council was allocated £131,359 from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Community Housing Fund. The Council wishes to use this ring-fenced funding to work in partnership with local communities to develop Community Led Housing across the District.

The Group had before it a report * from the Group Manager for Housing Services presenting the Community Led Housing Fund Grant Policy. In 2016/17 the Council had been allocated £131,359 from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Community Housing Fund. The Council wished to use this ring-fenced funding to work in partnership with local communities to develop Community Led Housing across the District.

It was proposed that the policy governance would be overseen by the Community Housing Fund Project Group chaired by the Cabinet Member for Housing. The group would comprise of the Cabinet Member for Housing and three other Cabinet Members. It would receive recommendations from the Group Manager for Housing, the Housing Options Manager and the S151 Officer or designated representative from Finance. It would meet on a monthly basis to discuss the progress of community groups and consider applications for funding.

It was explained that money had been allocated by the Government to help almost 150 councils tackle the problem of high levels of second home ownership so that the development of community led housing could be supported. Since there were relatively low levels of second home ownership in Mid Devon the allocation to this area had seemed low in comparison to some of the more affluent local authorities with coastal borders.

It was further confirmed that the sum of money available was solely for Community Led Housing projects. The Council would continue to work with Wessex Community Housing with whom it already had a proven track record arising from a successful Community Land Trust project in Hemyock.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet recommend to Council that:

a)    The Community Led Housing Fund Grant Policy is adopted and endorsed so that it can be used within the Council’s District.

b)    That Members support the framework for the allocation of grants as presented within the report.

c)    Should any disagreements occur then the final decision should be delegated to the Director of Operations in conjunction with the Cabinet Member.

(Proposed by Cllr D R Coren and seconded by Cllr R J Dolley)

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.