URL: https://democracy.northdevon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4607

Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Committee considered a joint report by the Head of Environmental Health/PMO and Head of Governance (circulated previously) regarding the Local Authority Registered Providers (LARP) service specification and policies.   The Head of Governance advised the Committee of an additional recommendation “that contract procedure rules be waived to formally appoint North Devon Homes as the management agent for the Local Authority Registered Provider”.   In response to questions from the Committee, the Head of Environmental Health/PMO advised the following:   ·         North Devon Homes (NDH) was already a trusted partner and intrinsically linked to the Council and had a good reputation.  They had been exceptionally helpful in terms of assisting the Council in getting into a position to manage its social housing. ·         A break clause would be included within the management agreement. ·         If the number of housing units increased, consideration would be given to its operating model. ·         NDH would manage allocations in accordance with adopted policies and procedures. ·         A local letting policy for Ilfracombe would be put in place. ·         That as Head of Environmental Health, she would be the Senior Responsible Officer and her role would be to ensure that the key performance indicators were adhered to, attend strategic meetings and be the conduit with NDH. ·         She regularly met with the Lead Member for Housing and would provide guidance through the process. ·         The number of social housing units was quite small.  These properties were of good quality and were quite new or had been refurbished.  ·         All social housing units were subject to the same rules in relation to right to buy.   In response to questions from the Committee, the Head of Governance advised the following:   It was recommended that the Service Specification for the provision of housing management be approved in principle and that powers be delegated to finalise the Management Agreement with NDH which would include the operative clauses that enforce the Service Specification. The proposed LARP policies were based on NDH existing policies which would enable NDH to deliver housing services in line with their current operations. Some strategic decisions, as the Landlord. would be retained and delegated to the Senior Responsible Officer, rather than following the NDH policies. These would be set out within the Management Agreement  The Governance Framework set out the shared governance arrangements, including the new responsibilities of our committees in relation to the LARP.   In response to questions from the Committee, the Chief Executive advised the following:   ·         Council owned properties would be less attractive to right to buy due to the ceiling cost and it was less than affordable than previously.   In response to questions from the Committee, the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive advised the following:   ·         The recommended policies provided assurance of how the properties would be managed.  If the Council deviated from the proposed policies, it would be more difficult for North Devon Homes to manage these properties and would attract a potential higher management fee. ·         Ownership of the social housing properties would remain as a Council asset and future decisions on these properties would remain with the Council.   RESOLVED that:   (a)  The High-level aims and objectives of the LARP as set out in paragraphs 4.2 to 4.8 of the report be approved; (b)  Contract Procedure Rules be waived to formally appoint North Devon Homes as the management agent for LARP; (c)  The Service Specification for the provision of housing management with North Devon Homes (Appendix A) be approved in principle; (d)  The Performance Management Framework in Annex 1 of the Service Specification, subject to any amendments agreed at the North Devon Council and North Devon Homes Strategic Partnership Meetings (Appendix B) be approved in principle; (e)  The North Devon Homes operational policies in Annex 2 of the Service Specification (Appendix C) be adopted; (f)   The LARP Rent Setting & Service Charge Policy, Tenancy Management Policy as set out in Annex 3 (Appendix D) be adopted; (g)  The Draft Site-Specific Information, including the Local Lettings Plan for 36 & 37 Boutport Street, in Annex 5 (Appendix E) be noted; (h)  The Draft Data Protection annex in Annex 6 (Appendix F) be noted; (i)    The LARP Right to Buy Policy and Compensation Policy will follow be noted; (j)    The Governance and Decision-Making Framework for the LARP (Appendix G) be approved; (k)  Powers be delegated to: a.    The Head of PMO, Environmental Health & Housing, the Head of Governance and the Senior Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to finalise the Management Agreement with North Devon Homes, the Tenancy Agreements, and to make any necessary amendments to policies and procedures based on on-going discussions with North Devon Homes and the sign off process with the North Devon Homes Board. b.    The Director of Resources and the Head of PMO, Environmental Health & Housing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to set the year one rents and service charges based on the agreed policy in (f) above. c.    The Head of PMO, Environmental Health and Housing and the Head of Governance, in consultation with the Lead member for Housing, the power to make amendments and replacements to the suite of policies set out in this report on an ongoing basis

Date of Decision: June 15, 2026