A decision will be taken next week on plans to create a 'local delivery vehicle' which would release millions of pounds of capital to fund improvements to council homes in Brighton & Hove.

Following information sessions for council tenants, their representatives will discuss the next stage of the procedure at the Housing Consultative Management Committee on 23 September. The next day, Brighton & Hove's cabinet will be asked to give the go-ahead for the council to begin setting up the new organisation.

'Local delivery vehicles' are an option offered by the government's Housing Green Paper and are designed to help councils provide local housing.

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In Brighton & Hove, the council is proposing to lease 106 vacant temporary accommodation properties to the 'vehicle' in the first year, followed by up to a maximum of 393 empty properties over a five-year period (499 in all).

This would open up access to up to £45 million of capital funding. There would be no freehold transfer and no transfer of tenanted properties.

Councillor Maria Caulfield, Cabinet Member for Housing and Chairperson of the Housing Management Consultative Committee, said: "Our aim is to offer the best option we can for our tenants and leaseholders that provides inward investment for homes and honours their desire to keep the council as their landlord.

"We believe the 'local delivery vehicle' will achieve that aim; it will both allow current secure tenants to remain with the council and release funding to help fill the investment gap for council homes. It will also be tailor made for our specific circumstances so will truly reflect local housing needs.

"Tenants and leaseholders will be the first to comment on the proposals and the cabinet will take those comments on board when making their decision. We will continue to keep tenants informed and involved throughout the process."

(CD/JM)