Ms Odunoye, Head of Strategy Regeneration & Sustainability introduced the report which concerned an application to establish a Local Affordable Housing Programme funded by Right to Buy receipts using a model operated by the Greater London Authority.

While Commissioners were broadly in favour of the proposal.  Commissioner Max Caller noted:

·         That the scheme was new and untested and

·         That the proposal concerned grant making, a function which, under the Secretary of State’s direction, resided with Commissioners.  Therefore decisions to award grants under this scheme could not be delegated to any other party.

Commissioners were united in this view and accordingly

RESOLVED

1.  That £7.06m of retained RTB receipts be approved to be used for a Local Housing Affordable Grant Programme for Housing Resources and Capital Delivery for the years 2016-20 as per the budget allocation decision of Cabinet dated 12^th October 2015

2.  That the criteria for the grant as set out in paragraph 3.9. of this report and Schedules One and Two of the Appendices be approved. 

3.  That an Affordable Housing Grant Panel be established under the  Corporate Director, Development & Renewal for the purpose of assessing development proposals, reviewing bids for grant funding and making recommendations for the award of grant

4.  That the decision to award scheme grants NOT be delegated to the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal but should be reported for decision to the Commissioners Decision Making Meetings as required.