Agenda item - Homeless Move On Accommodation

Report of Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

Housing & New Homes Committee

 (1)     Recommend that Policy, Resources & Growth Committee approve that the land comprising the former Hollingbury Library site is appropriated for planning purposes and that the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing be authorised to appropriate the site for housing once the development is complete.

(2)      Recommend that Policy, Resources & Growth Committee approve the transfer of the land & buildings at the former Hollingbury Library site from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account for £0.365m, being the best consideration reasonably obtainable.

(3)      Recommend the Policy, Resources & Growth Committee approve that the proceeds are ring-fenced to support the library service in line with the disposal that received consent at Policy Resources and Growth Committee on 9 June 2016.

(4)      Recommend the Policy, Resources & Growth Committee approve a budget of £0.365m financed by HRA borrowing and Homes England Funding to form part of the HRA capital programme for 2018/19.

(5)      Note that a further report on a final viable scheme will come forward to a future committee for approval.

55.1   The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing which informed members that a successful bid by the council to Homes England had been made under the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme 2016-21 for the development of a move-on housing scheme to provide medium level support and settled accommodation for vulnerable households typically blocking high support accommodation places in the city. The proposed scheme was aligned to the development of the former Hollingbury Library to comprise 13 self-contained one person units for use as move-on accommodation for those ready for intermediate support. The report was presented by the Head of Housing Strategy, Property & Investment. 

55.2   Councillor Mears set out her amendment to delete recommendation 2.1 of the recommendations. The amendment was seconded by Councillor Bell. Councillor Mears explained that the simple amendment had been proposed as recommendation 2.6 in the report covered the issue in recommendation 2.1.

55.3   Councillor Gibson asked what would be the intended use for the property. The Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing explained that the intended use was for more move on accommodation. This had been reported to Homes England. A further report would be submitted to the Committee in March 2019.

55.4   Councillor Gibson stated that he was comfortable with the amendment and welcomed the scheme. He hoped a viable scheme would be approved in March.

55.5    At this point the Committee voted on the amendment outlined in paragraph 55.2 above. The amendment was agreed unanimously.  The Committee then voted on the substantive proposals which were agreed unanimously.

55.6    RESOLVED:-

That the Housing & New Homes Committee:-

(1)      Recommend that Policy, Resources & Growth Committee approve that the land comprising the former Hollingbury Library site is appropriated for planning purposes and that the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing be authorised to appropriate the site for housing once the development is complete.

(2)      Recommend that Policy, Resources & Growth Committee approve the transfer of the land & buildings at the former Hollingbury Library site from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account for £0.365m, being the best consideration reasonably obtainable.

(3)      Recommend the Policy, Resources & Growth Committee approve that the proceeds are ring-fenced to support the library service in line with the disposal that received consent at Policy Resources and Growth Committee on 9 June 2016.

(4)      Recommend the Policy, Resources & Growth Committee approve a budget of £0.365m financed by HRA borrowing and Homes England Funding to form part of the HRA capital programme for 2018/19.

(5)      Note that a further report on a final viable scheme will come forward to a future committee for approval.