Issue - meetings

(A report by Matthew Hogan, Assistant Director – Strategic Growth and Development)

(A report by John Leach, Deputy Chief Executive – Communities)

Councillor John Baxter, Portfolio Holder – Housing, presented a report by the Deputy Chief Executive – Communities which sought approval to add to the Capital Programme the financial capacity to support the delivery of Affordable Housing through the use of commuted sums.

The funding was held by the Council, within its reserves, to assist with the delivery of new affordable homes. In order to deploy the funding it was necessary to be transferred into the Council’s Capital Programme. These funds would be used to deliver affordable housing within the borough over the next two to three years. Discussions were underway with registered affordable housing in order to identify housing stock within the borough which would provide a mixture of accommodation, including general needs, social rented properties, rent to buy and shared ownership.

Members discussed the report and the following comments were made:

·         There was a significant need for new affordable homes in the borough.

·         Concerns were raised regarding the growth of the population when compared to the homes that were available. There were several households within the area that were not considered to be fit for purpose.

·         The location of an identified site was queried, but was confirmed to be confidential for commercially sensitive reasons.

·         Concerns were raised regarding the amount of residents coming in from the EU for work purposes and the fact that many landlords were rumoured to be selling properties as a result of the effects of Central Government taxation.

·         Clarity was sought regarding the types of housing that would be available in The Quadrant, for which the details were currently commercially sensitive.

·         It was queried whether residents from outside of the borough would be entitled to receive affordable housing.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that there were currently 1253 houses available which were allocated on a priority basis. He advised that the types of properties becoming available should satisfy the needs of the residents. He also thanked officers for their work on the project.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor John Baxter and seconded by Councillor Sandeep Ghosh.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the addition of £1,074,000 to the Capital Programme for the purpose of supporting the development of Affordable Housing be approved; and

2.    That the use of £1,074,000 from the commuted sum affordable housing funding held in reserves to support this activity be approved.