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WRITTEN RECORD OF A DECISION IN RESPECT OF AN EXECUTIVE FUNCTION TO BE COMPLETED BY THE RELEVANT DECISION-MAKER AND PROPER OFFICER
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| DECISION-MAKER: | CABINET MEMBER FOR HOUSING AND HOMES
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| DATE OF DECISION-MAKING: | 2nd August, 2004 | |||||||||
| PORTFOLIO AREA: | Housing and Homes | |||||||||
| DECISION REFERENCE: | CAB0028-2004AUG02 | |||||||||
| SUBJECT TITLE: | Home Improvement Loans | |||||||||
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| This record relates to the report appearing as item B2aon the agenda for the Decision-Making. | ||||||||||
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| A copy of the report is available from: | Sharon Burgess/Janet Hawkins Tel: 023 8083 2577 | |||||||||
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| THE DECISION |
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| Having read the report, including its recommendations and proposals, and following consideration of all other relevant matters, the decision-maker made the following decision.
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| 1. | 4 | To approve the proposals / recommendations contained in the report | ||||||||
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| without modification as set out below.
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| 1. To note progress with the development of a home improvement loan scheme for qualifying homeowners in poor housing, securing the assistance from an external partner.2. To approve the features of the operation of the loan scheme described in this report.3. To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, capital expenditure of £4,069,000 on the Private Sector Housing Strategy schemes arising from the approval of applications in 2004/05, provision for which is contained within the Uncommitted section of the Housing and Homes General Fund Capital Programme, as shown in the following table: | |||||||||
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SCHEME 2004/05 2005/06 TOTAL £000 £000 £000 New Starts 2004/05 Mandatory Renovation Grants 454 429 883 Discretionary Renovation Assistance 1,211 1,488 2,699 Innovative Schemes TOTAL (including Professional fees) 2,152 1,917 4,069
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| 4. | To note that the proposals in this report contribute towards the Council’s strategic priorities of tackling deprivation and inequalities and promoting lifelong learning.
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| 5. | To rescind and replace part of a decision of the Cabinet taken on 30th June 2003 [CAB0017-2003JUN30] relating to a report entitled “ Draft Private Sector Housing Strategy” [To rescind solely paragraph 6(f)(v) of that decision] which authorised the following:
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| “To remove the existing delegated powers to the Programme Manager and to grant delegated power to the Head of Strategy, Development and Private Sector Housing”
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| The effect of rescinding this part of the decision would be to retain the original delegations to the Programme Manager.
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| To replace this with the following:
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| · To remove the existing delegated power to the Programme Manager contained solely in 7.6.2 of the Scheme of Delegations, ‘To make modifications/amendments to the approved standard conditions of grant aid’, · and delegate to the Head of Housing Strategy, Development and Private Sector Housing the power to make modifications/amendments to the approved terms and conditions of financial assistance in accordance with the Council’s Private Sector Housing Strategy.
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REASONS FOR THE DECISION | ||||||||||
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| The Council published the Private Sector Housing Strategy 2003-2010 in July 2003 to meet the requirements of the Regulatory Reform Order 2002. It set out the range of financial assistance, through loans and grants to home owners within the private sector to enable them to achieve the Council’s Decent Home Standard and to enable adaptations and improvements to be carried out to promote independent living. This report seeks approval for capital expenditure arising from the approval of applications for assistance in 2004/5.
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| A suitable model operated by Swaythling Housing Society (SHS), was identified which could be adopted and adapted to meet the aims of the proposed loan scheme. The scheme would involve a partnership arrangement between the Council and SHS. This report sets out the proposed operational features of these new loans for approval.
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| The report to Cabinet on 30th June (CAB0017-2003JUN30) contained a typographical error that had the effect of transferring all delegations from the Programme Manager for Housing, Communities and Regeneration to the Head of Private Sector Housing. This was not the intent and the report seeks to correct that error by reinstating those delegations to the Programme Manager with the exception of the power to make modifications/amendments to the approved terms and conditions of financial assistance in accordance with the Council’s Private Sector Housing Strategy, which remains with the Head of Housing Strategy Development and Private Sector Housing.
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DETAILS OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED | ||||||||||
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| Setting up a Council-run equity loan scheme was considered but rejected at this initial stage due to the complex administration of such schemes.
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| Doing nothing was not acceptable because of the direction imposed by the Regulatory Reform Order.
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OTHER RELEVANT MATTERS CONCERNING THE DECISION | ||||||||||
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| The following relevant matters not contained in the report were considered when making the decision: | ||||||||||
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| None | |||||||||
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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DECLARED AND DISPENSATIONS GRANTED | ||||||||||
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| 4 | * The decision-maker(s) did not declare a personal or prejudicial interest in the | ||||||||
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| Matters set out in the report. | ||||||||
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| SIGNATURE OF DECISION MAKER OR PERSON PRESIDING AND PROPER OFFICER | ||||||||||
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| We certify that the decision this document records was made in accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 and is a true and accurate record of that decision.
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| Decision Maker or Person Presiding |
Councillor Russell |
Dated: |
2nd August 2004 | ||||||
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Proper Officer |
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Dated: |
2nd August 2004 | ||||||
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“Proper Officer” means the Solicitor to the Council or their nominated representative. This function will usually be discharged by the Democratic Support Officer appointed to support the decision-making. | ||||||||||
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FOR USE BY DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT AND MEMBERS’ SERVICES Call In Period | ||||||||||
| 4th August 2004 to 10th August 2004 | ||||||||||
| Date of Call-in (if applicable) (this suspends implementation) | ||||||||||
| Call-in Procedure completed (the decision may now be implemented) | ||||||||||
| Results of Call-in / any other comments / observations: | ||||||||||