Issue - meetings

Housing regeneration grants and loans policy

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

(a) That the update on the work of the Housing Regeneration team is noted and that the future priorities for the service be supported; and

(b) That the grants and loans schedule be noted and the process for

amendment be supported with delegated authority given to the Cabinet

Member for Economic Development and Countryside and the Chief

Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) to vary the schedule as

Funding availability or requirements change.

Minutes:

The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager presented a report to review the Housing Regeneration Grants and Loans Policy and recommend approval to Cabinet. He provided background information and advised that the report provided an update on the work of the team, sets out a series of recommended priorities for the team in the future, and proposed that the outdated Private Sector Grants and Loans Policy be replaced with a simple schedule of grants and loans available to householders in Flintshire.

The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager referred to the key considerations as detailed in the report and drew attention to the priorities as set out in section 1.13. The current schedule of grants and loans issued by the service was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Referring to the schedule of grants and loans available, Councillor Mike Peers asked for further information on the total amount of funding provided by the Welsh Government, the number of individual grants which had been provided to applicants, and details on the application process. He suggested that further information was needed to advise anyone interested in applying for a loan or grant on how to make an application. Councillor Peers also raised concerns that there were properties which remained unoccupied due to a delay in obtaining ‘work guarantees’ from developers whilst tenants were being housed in temporary accommodation.

The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager responded to the points raised by Councillor Peers and explained that funding from the Welsh Government for home improvement loans up to £35k in certain circumstances was available to householders and was repayable by 2030. He advised that information on the scheme was available on the Council’s website and was also being promoted directly. In response to the concerns raised by Councillor Peers on the issue of ‘work guarantees’ the Enterprise and Regeneration Manager gave reassurance that this matter was being addressed by Officers.

The recommendations as set out in the report were moved by Councillor Mared Eastwood and seconded by Councillor Dan Rose.