To consider a report from the Executive Member for Housing and Advice.

NOTE: An associated report is to be considered in Part II of the Agenda.

1)    That the project for providing homes for Ukrainian and Afghan refugees as set out within the report be approved.

2)    That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place to procure a contractor to carry out the conversions and repairs and improvements as appropriate be approved.

3)    That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place to negotiate, finalise, and agree the terms for the purchase of properties for the purposes set out in this report be approved.

4)    That the delegation of authority to the Director of Legal and Governance to enter into any contracts, agreements or deeds required to implement the above recommendations be approved.

The Executive Member for Housing and Advice introduced the report and informed the Committee the provisions within the report would help to provide much needed housing and accommodation for refuges in the area. The Executive Member noted that a local Councillor had made some comments in the press regarding RAAC and he gave a statement saying that the Council were aware of the RAAC at the Grafton Centre and it was scheduled to be addressed as part of the Council’s regeneration plans for the building.

The Leader welcomed the report and the construction of the buildings, which would remain as an asset to the area beyond the need to address the housing of refugees, before opening the floor for Comments or Questions from the Executive.

The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration welcomed the development of additional housing detailed within the report and stated that many officers had been concerned and upset by the reports in the newspapers about the Grafton Centre.

The Leader then gave opportunity to all members in attendance to comment or ask questions.

Questions were received from the Leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Green Parties regarding when the Grafton Centre would be reviewed and the timescale for housing refugees. The Executive Member for Housing and Advice answered the Councillors questions and they were satisfied with the response received. The Leader of the Opposition then asked a series of questions relating to the report. The Corporate Director of Place responded to the questions that could be answered within Part 1 of the meeting and stated that the rest would be addressed once the Exclusion Resolution had been passed.

When no more Members were forthcoming with Comments or Questions the Leader moved the recommendations of the report which were approved.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That the project for providing homes for Ukrainian and Afghan refugees as set out within the report be approved.

3)    That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place to procure a contractor to carry out the conversions and repairs and improvements as appropriate be approved.

4)    That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place to negotiate, finalise, and agree the terms for the purchase of properties for the purposes set out in this report be approved.

5)    That the delegation of authority to the Director of Legal and Governance to enter into any contracts, agreements or deeds required to implement the above recommendations be approved.