Issue - meetings

Report from Cabinet held on 8 July 2024

Council received a report from the Housing Enabling and Development Manager, including the minutes from Cabinet.

Resolved –

1.      that a capital grant of £160,000 to Watford Community Housing is approved. This grant to be used to secure an alternate property for New Hope to deliver services currently delivered from 64 Rickmansworth Road.

2.      that the remaining capital receipt from the sale of 64 Rickmansworth Road be allocated to secure additional housing units. The sum allocated to be no greater than the total capital receipt profit, less the £160,000 committed to Watford Community Housing.

Report of the Housing Supply Manager

Resolved –

1.      that Cabinet recommends that Council provides a capital grant of £160,000 to Watford Community Housing. This grant to be used to secure an alternate property for New Hope to deliver services currently delivered from 64 Rickmansworth Road.

2.      that Cabinet recommends that Council allocates the remaining capital receipt from the sale of 64 Rickmansworth Road to secure additional housing units. The sum allocated to be no greater than the total capital receipt profit, less the £160,000 committed to Watford Community Housing.

Please note this recommendation from Cabinet is not eligible for call-in as the report is referred to Council on 16 July 2024 for a decision.

Cabinet received a report of the Housing Enabling and Development Manager which asked members to recommend to Council that the remaining capital receipt from the sale of the 64 Rickmansworth Road was ringfenced for additional social and temporary accommodation.

The Mayor invited Councillor Rodrigues to introduce the report.

Councillor Rodrigues informed members that the Housing team was looking at all options to increase affordable private sector accommodation and social housing.  He explained that the property in Rickmansworth Road was not the most suitable accommodation for New Hope.  Following a decision to sell the property, it was recognised that they would require alternative accommodation.  The second part of the recommendations was to ringfence the capital receipt.  There would be schemes coming forward in the next few months, which would provide an opportunity to invest to save for the council.  The report would need to be presented to Council for approval.

Councillor Bell advised he supported the proposal, as it would help the homeless.  He recognised that New Hope needed more space.

The Mayor commented that the proposal made sense and asked Cabinet to vote on the recommendations in the report. 

Resolved –

1.      that Cabinet recommends that Council provides a capital grant of £160,000 to Watford Community Housing. This grant to be used to secure an alternate property for New Hope to deliver services currently delivered from 64 Rickmansworth Road.

2.      that Cabinet recommends that Council allocates the remaining capital receipt from the sale of 64 Rickmansworth Road to secure additional housing units. The sum allocated to be no greater than the total capital receipt profit, less the £160,000 committed to Watford Community Housing.