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
31st 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:
- The use of
Devolution funding (£350k) to support the delivery of
identified Community Land Trust projects within Mid Devon be
APPROVED.
- 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.