Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety.

Decision

(a)       That the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy be adopted;

(b)       That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Housing and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety to:

(i) Make minor amendments to the policy to comply with legislation and

guidance.

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

(iii) Introduce new assistance to help private residential property should

funding become available.

Reason for the Decision

The Council is required by law to adopt and publish a policy detailing any assistance it wishes to offer to improve private residential property.

The formation of Dorset Council requires that a new Private Sector Housing

Assistance Policy is adopted. On the 1 April 2019 policies from the original sovereign councils novated to Dorset Council. Generally these policies are similar but not identical and therefore there are inconsistencies in some areas of assistance offered.

In presenting the report, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety advised that the Council was required by law to adopt and publish a policy detailing any assistance it wished to offer to improve private residential property. He further advised that the People & Health Overview Committee had considered the policy at its meeting on 27 October 2020 and supported its adoption; subject to a minor amendment in relation to support for foster carers and their housing requirements. This could be made under officer delegation.

Decision

(a)       That the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy be adopted;

(b)       That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Housing and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety to:

(i) Make minor amendments to the policy to comply with legislation and

guidance.

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

(iii) Introduce new assistance to help private residential property should

funding become available.

Reason for the Decision

The Council is required by law to adopt and publish a policy detailing any assistance it wishes to offer to improve private residential property.

The formation of Dorset Council requires that a new Private Sector Housing

Assistance Policy is adopted. On the 1 April 2019 policies from the original sovereign councils novated to Dorset Council. Generally these policies are similar but not identical and therefore there are inconsistencies in some areas of assistance offered.