Agenda and minutes

Minute of Meeting of Executive Committee of 6 September 2016 to be approved and signed by the Chairman.  (Copy attached.)

The Minute of meeting of the Executive Committee of 6 September 2016 had been circulated.

            DECISION

            APPROVED for signature by the Chairman.

Consider report by Service Director Regulatory Services.  (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Regulatory Services which set out the proposed delivery framework for up to six extra care housing developments across the main towns in Scottish Borders in order to meet identified need and deliver on the Council’s corporate priorities of shifting the balance of care.  The initial priorities for investment had been identified as Duns, using Trust Housing and Langhaugh, Galashiels using Eildon Housing Association.  The report explained that the needs assessment for extra care housing previously undertaken, and reported to Members in March 2016, concluded that there was a large projected need for this type of housing model across all the main towns in the Scottish Borders.  Through an option appraisal approach, the study also concluded that it would be best value if the projects were developed, owned and managed by Registered Social Landlords.  The proposed delivery framework utilised Council owned sites where feasible and maximised the Scottish Government grant provision, including RSL private sector borrowing over the next five years of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan.  It was anticipated that these would be high cost projects that were likely to require some gap funding from the Council’s Affordable Housing Budget.  It was envisaged that these developments would provide extra care housing for social, mid-market rent and shared equity options, all of which were considered as being compliant with the Councils Affordable Housing Policy definitions. Further individual site specific feasibility studies were required to test the financial modelling.  Cathie Fancy, Group Manager (Housing Strategy & Services) was present at the meeting to answer Members questions.  In relation to the future management of the proposed facilities, Ms Fancy advised that there would be a further report presented, detailing the management arrangements.  In response to questions Ms Fancy advised that the framework was flexible enough to take account of needs as they arose and the service was always interested in new sites which became available.  In response to a question on what work was being done in rural areas, Ms Fancy advised that work was being done Council wide in areas where most need had been identified she also commented on work that had been done with Bridge Homes for young people in rural areas.

MEMBER            

Councillor Davidson joined the meeting during consideration of the following item.

Before proceeding with the private business, the following motion should be approved:-

“That under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the aforementioned Act”.

DECISION

AGREED under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the business detailed in the Appendix to this minute on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of  part 1 of schedule 7A to the Act.

SUMMARY OF PRIVATE BUSINESS

Private Minute of Meeting of Executive Committee of 6 September 2016 to be approved and signed by the Chairman.  (Copy attached.)  

The Committee approved the private Minute of 6 September 2016.

Consider report by Depute Chief Executive – Place.  (Copy report attached.)

The Committee approved a report by the Depute Chief Executive Place subject to the amendment of the recommendations.

  The meeting concluded at 10.50 a.m.