Decision details

This policy set out the discretionary and mandatory financial assistance Dorset Council offer to eligible residents to improv or adapt their property in the DORSET Council area. The Council are required by the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 to agree and publish a policy for any housing assistance it wishes to offer.

1. That the Dorset Council Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy be adopted.

2. That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Housing and Community Safety in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health and Housing to:

(a)           Make minor amendments to the policy to comply with legislation and guidance.

(b)           Suspend the approval of any discretionary housing assistance offered in this policy.

(c)           Introduce new assistance to help private residential property should funding become available.

Reason for the decision

The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 required Councils to publish a policy if they wished to provide assistance in a range of areas related to private sector housing.  Dorset Council last approved a Private Sector Housing Assistance policy in November 2020.