Decision details

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report seeking Committee’s approval to proposed amendments to the Discretionary Private Sector Grant Policy.

Members were reminded that the First-Time buyers grant is included within the Council’s Discretionary Private Sector Grant Policy.  The purpose of the grant is to encourage first-time buyers to purchase older housing stock in the borough and to improve the energy efficiency of the property.

A requirement to re-calculate the EPC rating at completion stage is to be re-introduced. Whilst there is no requirement being set in terms of reaching a minimum EPC rating, Members were assured that RVBC would monitor the impact that the grant is having, and a further report would be brought back to Committee in due course. 

It was further proposed that the policy should stipulate that a person with savings in excess of £30,000 would be ineligible for the grant.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approve the amendments to the Policy as shown in track changes in Appendix 2 of the report.