Issue - meetings

Report by Executive Director – Community Services

On 8 May 2014, Members agreed a Rural Housing Development Fund grant of £450k to Iona Housing Partnership (IHP) for the development of five affordable houses on the island of Iona.  Despite the award from the Council, IHP were faced with a significant funding shortfall and the development had not been able to proceed. In order to assist and to explore all possible options, which might successfully deliver the affordable housing for the island, West Highland Housing Association were invited to review the scheme. The Committee considered a report which detailed the findings of this review.

Decision

The Committee agreed to approve a reduced grant from the Strategic Housing Fund of £361k towards the development of five affordable houses on Iona by West Highland Housing Association in partnership with  Iona Housing Partnership on the basis that:-

·         the grant offered by the Scottish Government was confirmed

·         West Highland Housing Association Approval was confirmed

·         the Council has full sight of Legal agreements between West Highland Housing Association and Iona Housing Partnership which were to be concluded prior to tender acceptance.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director- Community Services dated 17 November 2014, submitted)