On 7 December 2023 the
Council agreed:
That TorVista Homes be dissolved with effect from 1
April 2024, (or immediately following transfer of all social
housing units, if this is beyond this date), with mandatory
de-registration to the Regulator of Social Housing by TorVista Homes in advance and:
1.
the Director of Pride in Place be
instructed to:
a.
commence tenant consultation (in line with current requirements by
the Regulator of Social Housing) in relation to the proposal to
transfer the social housing units, income and liabilities into
Torbay Council;
b.
instruct TorVista Homes to maintain a
continuous level of service to their tenants (in accordance with
all requirements for Registered Providers of social housing, to at
least the same standard as they currently receive), including
continuing to achieve mandatory compliance standards until transfer
of the homes has been completed; and
c.
develop detailed delivery plans, in consultation with the Cabinet
Member for Housing, Finance and Corporate Services and all Group
Leaders (or their nominees), setting out how the Council will
accelerate:
i.
the provision of new Affordable Housing, targeted to meet
Torbay’s local housing need, specifically including;
1. Social Rented Housing;
and
2. Affordable Rented
Housing
ii. the
provision of accommodation for strategic priority areas,
including:
1.
Extra care
2.
Supported housing (for various client groups)
3.
Temporary accommodation, and
4.
Care experienced young people;
2.
the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Monitoring
Officer and Cabinet Member for Housing, Finance and Corporate
Services, be given delegated authority to:
a.
subject to satisfactory completion of all necessary due diligence,
(and tenancy engagement), enter into the Capital funding grant
agreements with Homes England and to transfer all social housing
units, assets, liabilities and income from TorVista Homes into the ownership and management of
Torbay Council; and
b.
upon completion of all satisfactory due diligence, transfer any
land or development assets owned by TDA or TorVista Homes into the ownership of Torbay
Council, as required; and
3.
the Head of Strategic Housing and Delivery, in consultation with
Cabinet Member for Housing, Finance and Corporate Services, be
given delegated authority to:
a.
subject to completion of a satisfactory procurement, agree a
suitable scope and extend the Council’s existing Temporary
Accommodation and property maintenance contract for a further 12
months, with additional provision to include the maintenance and
compliance of any homes currently owned by TorVista Homes that transfer to the Council, should
this be required; and
b.
apply for Investment Partner status on behalf of the Council, and
secure Homes England funding for any eligible future directly
provided affordable housing scheme; and
That Council approve
an annual revenue budget of £150,000 for 2024/25 for the
Council to fund and provide in house, the management and operation
of activities previously undertaken by TorVista Homes.
The Director of
Finance was given delegated authority to determine 2a. and b.
above. As such, the Council has scheduled to take ownership of
development assets owned by TorVista
Homes from 30 September 2024.