Issue - meetings

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the associated report.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the unaudited actual gross and net expenditure for the year and the sources of finance as shown in Appendices B to D be noted.

2.    That the proposed variations to the Capital programme, set out in notes 4.3 to 4.11 be approved.

3.    That the proposed movement between years, set out in note 4.12 be approved.

4.    That the inclusion of new schemes into the capital programme as set out in notes 4.13 to 4.15 be noted.

5.    That TWBC take advantage of any funding opportunities to alleviate short term pressures and longer term housing pressures and that where possible, these funds are used to create a lasting legacy by providing a new and permanent supply of affordable housing be approved.

6.    That external contributions to the Council’s ‘match-funding’ requirements for the Local Authority Housing Fund Scheme are used to deliver the scheme with the Council’s ‘match-funding’ from s106 developer funding re-allocated to deliver affordable housing be approved.

7.    That the refurbishment of the four Crescent Road properties into 3-, 4- and 5-bedroom houses to provide short-term options for housing Ukrainian guests and longer-term affordable housing for UK Nationals be approved.

8.    That the s151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing be delegated to allocate funds from the homes for Ukraine Programme, Local Authority Housing Fund and any other similar funding programmes or sources, and to source any necessary match-funding so as to alleviate housing pressures in line with the above objectives and in the light of advice from the Council’s Housing and Property teams be approved. 

REASON FOR DECISION:  Managing and forecasting capital expenditure effectively was vital in order to support all of the services provided by the Council.

Councillor Christopher Hall, Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance introduced Jane Fineman, Head of Finance, Procurement and Parking who presented the report set out in the agenda.

Discussion and questions from Members included the following:

-       The proposed additional recommendations were welcomed. 

-       The teams were congratulated by Members for the huge amount of work undertaken to secure funding for the Local Authority Housing Fund. 

-       TWBC working together with Central Government and Kent County Council to provide housing for refugees and in the future for the Borough was also very welcome.

-       The upgrade to the amenity building at Cinder Hill was welcomed but it was disappointing that it would have an combi boiler rather than an air sourced heat pump.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the unaudited actual gross and net expenditure for the year and the sources of finance as shown in Appendices B to D be noted.

2.    That the proposed variations to the Capital programme, set out in notes 4.3 to 4.11 be approved.

3.    That the proposed movement between years, set out in note 4.12 be approved.

4.    That the inclusion of new schemes into the capital programme as set out in notes 4.13 to 4.15 be noted.

5.    That TWBC take advantage of any funding opportunities to alleviate short term pressures and longer term housing pressures and that where possible, these funds are used to create a lasting legacy by providing a new and permanent supply of affordable housing be approved.

6.    That external contributions to the Council’s ‘match-funding’ requirements for the Local Authority Housing Fund Scheme are used to deliver the scheme with the Council’s ‘match-funding’ from s106 developer funding re-allocated to deliver affordable housing be approved.

7.    That the refurbishment of the four Crescent Road properties into 3-, 4- and 5-bedroom houses to provide short-term options for housing Ukrainian guests and longer-term affordable housing for UK Nationals be approved.

8.    That the s151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing be delegated to allocate funds from the homes for Ukraine Programme, Local Authority Housing Fund and any other similar funding programmes or sources, and to source any necessary match-funding so as to alleviate housing pressures in line with the above objectives and in the light of advice from the Council’s Housing and Property teams be approved. 

REASON FOR DECISION:  Managing and forecasting capital expenditure effectively was vital in order to support all of the services provided by the Council.

To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report.

Jane Fineman, Head of Finance, Procurement and Parking introduced the report set out in the agenda.

Since the publication of the agenda, the Committee were asked to take into account some additional information, including approval of 3 additional recommendations to Cabinet.

-       Since the report was prepared, the Council had been offered the opportunity to bid for some additional funding from the Homes for Ukraine Grant held by KCC and the European Housing Fund applied for by KCC, upon which they were still awaiting approval. If the Council was successful, Cabinet would need to approve certain decisions in order to spend the money swiftly, and urgent progression was a condition of the grant.

-       The Council would like to bid for £1.403m funding for our proportion of the Local Authorities Housing Fund Scheme to deliver 15 affordable homes in Tunbridge Wells. If successful, then we would no longer need to use our own S106 developer funding and it could be repurposed.

-       The Council would also like to bid for £850,000 to refurbish the 4 properties in Crescent Road into 3 or 4 bedroom homes, which could initially be shared by Ukrainian families, but subsequently brought into the Council’s housing stock. If successful, the Council would ask for approval to go ahead and refurbish the properties. It had been discussed whether it would be better to divide these properties into smaller units, but as there were already 3 properties in smaller units in the parade, the variety was felt to be more appropriate. The Council also had a shortage of this property size and it would be cheaper, and importantly much quicker, to deliver than smaller units.

-       Thirdly, the Council would like to bid for £800,000 to purchase a 4/5 bed property, which again, 2 Ukrainian families would share. Again, this would be brought back into the Councils housing stock once no longer needed by Ukrainian guests. Affordable larger homes were in very short supply in the Borough and housing were recommending that this was the main area of housing shortage they experienced. If successful the Council would like approval to move to purchase a property.

-       Subject to agreement by the Committee, 3 recommendations would be added to the report that would be put forward to Cabinet as follows:

o   That if granted £1.403m KCC funding for the Council’s proportion of the Local Authorities Housing Fund Scheme to deliver 15 affordable homes in Tunbridge Wells, Finance and Governance recommends that the grant money be spent on the scheme and that the allocated S106 money should be repurposed.

o   That if KCC grants £850,000 to refurbish the 4 Crescent Road properties into 3 or 4 bedroom houses, Finance and Governance recommends to Cabinet that the grant should be spent as such and the refurbishment should be completed.

o   That if KCC grants £800,000 to purchase a 4 or 5 bedroomed house in the Borough, Finance and Governance recommends to Cabinet that the grant should be spent as such  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7