Decision details

Purchase of four houses in Sutton St James

Decision Maker: Portfolio Holder for Assets & Planning

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

To explore the purchase of four houses in Sutton St James, from a developer.

Decision:

1)      To approve the business case for the acquisition, by Welland Homes Ltd, of four houses for the purposes of a market rental investment

 

2)        That the refreshed business plan and budget is approved and included as an amendment in the SHDC Quarterly report to members.

 

3)        That delegated authority be granted to the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) and S151, to (i) approve the terms of any loan agreements required; (ii) approve the value and the profile of any periodic cash flow payments to be made to the Company, as required to support the Company in the acquisition of the proposed investment properties.

 

4)        To reaffirm the delegated authority, granted by Council on 25th March 2015, to the S151 Officer, to approve the final mix of use of reserves and borrowing in line with the business plan and Council Treasury Management Strategy.

 

Welland Homes Board has made a decision to purchase these homes, which are currently for sale on the open market. The company requires a decision of the Shareholder Representative to endorse the decision of the Board. If the Shareholder Representative did not make an urgent decision, it is highly likely that the homes would be reserved for purchase by another party and the Company would not be able to complete the purchase.

 

Reasons for the decision:

The delivery of four additional homes, for Welland Homes will provide the following benefits:

  • Support the delivery of the Corporate Plan 2019-23 objectives to deliver new homes for our residents and provide a dividend to Council through Welland Homes and to ensure that residents are enabled to live in high quality housing no matter the tenure.
  • As a long term investment, the potential that the properties will appreciate in value.
  • The delivery of 4 additional homes will help to meet the Business Plan target to have 60 homes in ownership.
  • The delivery of another scheme which provides a positive return on investment will have a positive effect on the amount of profit available to distribute as a dividend or charitable donation in the future.
  • As the company does not currently have any homes in Sutton St James, this scheme will diversify the stock portfolio.

Alternative options considered:

Do nothing. In this event, the company will not acquire the dwellings and neither the Company nor the Shareholder will benefit from the expected return on investment. Officers will explore alternative proposals for Welland Homes investment.

 

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

None

Reason Key: Incurring expenditure above £75,000 threshold in respect of revenue/£180,000 in respect of capital;

Wards Affected: The Saints;

Conflict of Interest: None

Dispensation Granted: None

Consultees

WH Board
Ward members

Contact: Caroline Hannon, Head of Delivery Email: Caroline.Hannon@sholland.gov.uk.

Urgent item?: Yes

Publication date: 09/03/2023

Date of decision: 09/03/2023

Accompanying Documents: