URL: https://democracy.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=809

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member Decision

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: In support of the council’s Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, Full Council approved plans to invest up to £2m of the Council’s capital reserves into the provision of social rented temporary housing units on 25 February 2025 as part of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy – view decision This funding is in addition to the £2.157m the council already committed to invest in temporary accommodation in October 2024, which has to date been invested in 8 properties, of which 7 are already in use. It is estimated the additional £2m will see approximately eight further units purchased and added to the council’s stock of temporary, housing first and social housing stock. The council’s wholly owned trading company, Lichfield West Midlands Traded Services (LWMTS), is leading on the work to identify and procure accommodation units. LWTMS has a specialist team dedicated to property acquisition, maintenance, repair and management and will be paid a management fee to oversee these works. This report proposes the purchase of one property. Bringing the total up to three properties.  

Content: In support of the council’s Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, Full Council approved plans to invest up to £2m of the Council’s capital reserves into the provision of social rented temporary housing units on 25 February 2025 as part of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy – view decision This funding is in addition to the £2.157m the council already committed to invest in temporary accommodation in October 2024, which has to date been invested in 8 properties, of which 7 are already in use. It is estimated the additional £2m will see approximately eight further units purchased and added to the council’s stock of temporary, housing first and social housing stock. The council’s wholly owned trading company, Lichfield West Midlands Traded Services (LWMTS), is leading on the work to identify and procure accommodation units. LWTMS has a specialist team dedicated to property acquisition, maintenance, repair and management and will be paid a management fee to oversee these works. This report proposes the purchase of one property. Bringing the total up to three properties.   The Leader:   Approve the freehold acquisition of 2 bed house in Lichfield for the sale price of £250,000, with a further £10,000 set aside for associated legal costs and repair/maintenance works. See Appendix 1 (confidential) for property information.   Noted that this purchase will see the total number of 3 properties purchased with the £2m, this will leave us with approx. £1,002,500 to use towards another purchase. (Mountain Warehouse Units)   Noted that the council will work with Homes England ongoing to determine whether any external funding is available to contribute to the purchase and delivery of this accommodation unit. Should funding be available, any underspend of capital monies to fund this property will be maintained in the capital budget for further purchases.

Date of Decision: January 13, 2026