Issue - meetings

To consider the creation of a Housing Association.

RESOLVED that

(i)         the Head of Legal and Governance be authorised to complete and file the necessary paperwork to establish a CBS for the purpose of becoming a housing association; and

(ii)        the Head of Legal and Governance be authorised to take the necessary steps to establish the CBS as an arm’s length company through an appropriate company structure in consultation with the Members of the Commercial Ventures Executive Sub-Committee.

Councillor M A Brunt, the Leader of the Council, introduced the Creation of a Housing Association report.  It was recommended that the Head of Legal and Governance be authorised to establish a Community Benefit Society for the purpose of becoming a housing association, and to take the necessary steps to establish appropriate structures around the Community Benefit Society.

As set out in the report, establishing this Community Benefit Society (‘CBS’) would enable the CBS to help to secure the quality of tenancy for a number of residents in supported living, who were supported by Pathway for Care, in which the Council was a shareholder.  The CBS would also provide the potential to consider future related opportunities around housing provision.

The report identified that the business case for the CBS was sound and additional information was available in the exempt report in the Part 2 section of the agenda.

The recommended actions were to establish the CBS and take the necessary steps to establish it as an arm’s length company through an appropriate company structure.  Establishing the CBS would enable the Council to support the ongoing supported living work of Pathway for Care, and provide opportunities for additional housing work in the longer term.

RESOLVED that

(i)         the Head of Legal and Governance be authorised to complete and file the necessary paperwork to establish a CBS for the purpose of becoming a housing association; and

(ii)        the Head of Legal and Governance be authorised to take the necessary steps to establish the CBS as an arm’s length company through an appropriate company structure in consultation with the Members of the Commercial Ventures Executive Sub-Committee.

Reason for decision: To enable the Council to support the on-going work of Pathway Care Limited in the short-term and to support the housing work of the Council in the longer term against the back drop of ensuring good governance for all commercial related activities.

Alternative option: establish a CBS directly held by the Council or not establish a CBS.

To consider exempt information in relation to the creation of a Housing Association.

RESOLVED that the exempt information in relation to the Creation of a Housing Association report be noted.

RESOLVED that the exempt information in relation to the Creation of a Housing Association report be noted.