Cabinet Decisions

An options appraisal was completed in October 2019, reviewing the delivery of housing management services provided by East Kent Housing (EKH) on behalf of Canterbury City Council, Dover District Council, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and Thanet District Council.

The four councils each agreed that the preferred option for future service provision to the four councils’ tenants and leaseholders is that it should become an in-house service, subject to consultation.

This report sets out the outcomes from the formal consultation exercise undertaken with EKH tenants and leaseholders. It proposes that officers from across the four councils be instructed to negotiate ending the agreement with EKH and to make preparations for the housing management service to be brought in-house.

Cabinet agreed the following:

1. That having noted the results of the tenant and leaseholder consultation, the cost/benefit analysis and the risk analysis, it is agreed that the management of the council’s housing stock be brought back in-house;

2. That the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods be authorised to terminate the management agreement with EKH as soon as practicable;

3. That the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods be authorised to take such decisions as may be necessary to facilitate the process of bringing the housing service in-house, including the use of Housing Revenue Account balances as required for any one off transition costs incurred;

4. To delegate authorisation to the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer for the use of up to £250k of HRA Reserves for transitional costs.

At the cabinet meeting dated the 16th of December 2019, it was agreed to dispose of the Newington Community Centre land and building.

Following communications with Newington Community Association, it is recommended to scale down the size of land offered for disposal.

The new area for disposal will only include the land and buildings shown for purpose of identification only on the plan annexed hereto and edged red.

Caveats to ensure that the premises remain for public use to remain in place.

Cabinet approved the reduction in size of the land proposed for Community Asset Transfer to Newington Community Association, as indicated on plans in Annexe 1 (to the Cabinet report).