Issue - meetings

Report of Corporate Director for Growth and City Development

Councillor Hayes, Portfolio Holder for Housing, introduced the report.

Cath Stocks, Head of Housing Options, presented the report and stated the following:

a)  the report sought approval to commence a procurement process for the supply, delivery and installation of residential equipment and furniture, such as cookers, washing machines and beds, to enable the council to provide furnished tenancies for council tenants;

b)  the provision of furnished tenancies supported tenancy sustainment for many vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens allocated Council housing by providing an affordable option for tenants needing to furnish their new home, many of which have no furniture or appliances when they sign up for a tenancy, nor the savings to purchase them. This could either delay moving in, incurring rent arrears, or tenants resorting to credit, incurring high-cost borrowing and long-term debts;

c)  an inability to fund the essentials to make a home, or being burdened with rent arrears or high debts to do so, can reduce tenancy sustainment levels, incurring additional cost for the Council’s HRA in void turnaround costs, rent loss and potentially a subsequent homelessness duty;

d)  the cost of renting basic furnishings in a furnished tenancy is eligible for Housing Benefit and Universal Credit housing costs, making it affordable for all tenants that need it;

e)  tenants can choose a fully furnished home or just kitchen appliances depending on their requirements and, in the year to 1 April 2023, 885 current council homes had furnished tenancies (3.5% of council tenancies);

f)  furnished tenancies contribute to the Council’s Housing Strategy and the Together for Nottingham Plan through the provision of good quality, affordable housing for Nottingham families and citizens, including Council Plan outcome nine - Better Housing: We will tackle poor-quality housing in Nottingham, regardless of tenure, and continue to drive up housing standards in the city, ensuring sustainable communities and neighbourhoods for residents.

Resolved to

(1)  approve undertaking a procurement exercise to identify a supplier and issue an open tender, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, for a 5-year contract at a maximum cost of £2.7m;

(2)  delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Growth and City Development to enter into contracts with the successful supplier;

(3)  delegate authority to the Head of Service to set up Contract Purchase Agreements (CPAs) to cover the works to be delivered, and to raise purchase orders under the signed contract, including CPAs for the duration of the contracts.

Reasons for recommendations

a)  Nottingham City Council has provided new tenants with the option of a furnished tenancy since 2016. The provision of furnished tenancies supports tenancy sustainment for many vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens allocated to Council housing. It provides an affordable option for tenants needing to furnish their new home, many of which have no furniture or appliances when they sign up for a tenancy, nor the savings to purchase them. This can either delay moving in - incurring rent arrears, or tenants resorting to credit - incurring high-cost borrowing and long-term debts;

b)  there is provision in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69