Appendix 3 contains exempt information pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. To discuss this item, it will be necessary for the Council to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting (as set out at agenda item 14).

The Executive Director (Communities and People) has submitted a report to make available the required budget provision and the necessary project approval and delegations to enable the Council to proceed with entering into the national Local Authority Housing Fund Round 3.

Council is recommended to:

Approve an allocation of £1,910,000 capital budget from the Housing Revenue Account, for the Council’s investment to purchase the properties as part of Local Authority Housing Fund Round 3, with up to £1,061,000 being funded from HRA borrowing, and the rest covered by grant of up to £849,000

The Executive Director (Communities and People) had submitted a report to make available the required budget provision and the necessary project approval and delegations to enable the Council to proceed with entering into the national Local Authority Housing Fund Round 3.

Councillor Linda Smith presented the report to Council. She detailed the report’s recommendations and the way that the report will allow the city to purchase properties as part of the Local Authority Housing Fund Round 3. She said that the report presents a good deal for the HRA and would allow them to further their work to support refugees and become a council of sanctuary.

Although he lamented that these recommendations should have come sooner, Councillor Malik expressed his support for the report’s recommendations.

On being seconded by Councillor Louise Upton the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

Approve an allocation of £1,910,000 capital budget from the Housing Revenue Account, for the Council’s investment to purchase the properties as part of Local Authority Housing Fund Round 3, with up to £1,061,000 being funded from HRA borrowing, and the rest covered by grant of up to £849,000.