Issue - meetings

That the following grant funding payments for affordable housing developments in the Borough be approved:

1. £812,233 to Watford Community Housing Trustfor a development known as Goldcroft garage site, Hemel Hempstead. 

2. £1,417,000 to Thrive Homes for a site known as land off Two Waters Road, Hemel Hempstead. (Old Hewden Hire site)

3. £133,168 to Hastoe Housing Associationfor a development known as garage site adjacent to 28 & 30 West Dene, Gaddesden Row, Great Gaddesden.

4. Approve the purchase of the site known as Garages to the South of 71 – 81 Burns Drive, Hemel Hempstead for a sum of £495,000. Agree an additional expenditure of £100,000 for consultant fees to deliver the scheme on this site.

Decision

That the following grant funding payments for affordable housing developments in the Borough be approved:

1. £812,233 to Watford Community Housing Trustfor a development known as Goldcroft garage site, Hemel Hempstead. 

2. £1,417,000 to Thrive Homesfor a site known as land off Two Waters Road, Hemel Hempstead. (Old Hewden Hire site)

3. £133,168 to Hastoe Housing Associationfor a development known as garage site adjacent to 28 & 30 West Dene, Gaddesden Row, Great Gaddesden.

4. Approve the purchase of the site known as Garages to the South of 71 – 81 Burns Drive, Hemel Hempstead for a sum of £495,000. Agree an additional expenditure of £100,000 for consultant fees to deliver the scheme on this site.

Reason for decision

To seek approval for the payment of “one for one” grant funding to Housing Associations (Registered Providers) delivering affordable housing schemes in the Borough.To seek approval for the payment of “one for one” grant funding to Housing Associations (Registered Providers) delivering affordable housing schemes in the Borough.

In addition seek approval to purchase a site known as Garages to the South of 71 - 81 Burns Drive for the purposes of building Council homes and commit expenditure to developing the scheme to build out.

Corporate objectives

Delivering Affordable Housing.

Deputy Monitoring Officer/Deputy S.151 Officer Comments

Deputy Monitoring Officer: Under the scheme introduced in 2012 investment in new affordable housing can be made by the Council itself or through grant funding registered providers.  This decision proposes funding developments by Watford Community Housing Trust, Thrive Homes and Hastoe Housing Association.  Officers should ensure that each grant going forward is covered by the grant agreement (referred to in para 5 below) to ensure that the Council’s position is protected and enable it to meet audit requirements. In relation to the purchase of the garage site, the final terms of the purchase contract must be reviewed by the Legal Team prior to completion. 

Deputy S.151 Officer: The award of these grants can be met from the 1-4-1 receipts and will be reported on the pooling return to CLG which is audited on an annual basis by DBC’s appointed external auditors. The grant agreement protects the Council from the payment of any interest penalties charged for late delivery of schemes. The purchase of the site identified can be met from within existing approved capital budgets.

Advice

Councillor Griffiths introduced the report. She explained this deal was to use receipts for further development instead of sending the money back to central government. 75% of subsequent lettings will be available for immediate rent from people on the registered housing list, have a local connection or have served in the armed forces. If they have not been let after four weeks, then they may be offered to others.

E Brooks introduced D Barrett who was the new group manager for Housing Development. He explained that there was an allocation of three grants and a purchase of a piece of land to develop new homes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94