Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the evacuation and housekeeping procedure.

Cllr Richard Eglington wished it to be recorded for transparency purposes only that he was an employee of Citizens Advice Bureau who were a consultee in the Tees Valley Home-Finder Common Allocation Policy consultation included at item 5, Scrutiny Review of Affordable Housing.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 11 November 2024

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider evidence on the following:

·       Option Appraisal Update

·       Empty Homes

·       Feedback following the consultation regarding the Common Allocation Policy

·       National Planning Policy Framework implications for Affordable Housing

The Committee received a briefing on the implications of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for affordable housing, which included the reintroduction of housing targets. The policy set a new standard housing methodology to ensure housing need is reduced in areas with more affordable housing and increased where affordable housing is challenging and removed the requirement to deliver at least 10% of total homes on major sites for affordable home ownership. It was also no longer a requirement for 25% of affordable housing delivered via Section 106 agreements to be First Homes and the 10% small site allocation in local plans was no longer mandatory. The NPPF had been strengthened to encourage mixed tenure developments, while not preventing schemes that were mainly or entirely for Social Rent or other affordable housing tenures. It also stated that the provisions for social rents be considered when undertaking housing needs assessment and setting policies on affordable housing requirements. In addition, the definition of affordable housing for rent had been amended.

Members questioned what type of properties “build to rent” were, noted under mixed tenure developments, and if there was an impact for the borough. Officers clarified that this referred to developments whereby companies built and retained ownership which they then rented and managed. These types of developments were usually found in big cities where the company would get a better yield from renting, and not common in at this time Stockton-on-Tees.

Officers noted that the NPPF was positive for house building in general, however the full implications for delivery would not be known until the funding arrangements had been announced.

The Committee received a presentation regarding the ongoing affordable housing option appraisal, which outlined the objectives and options explored, along with the results of a preliminary market engagement (PME) exercise. The presentation also highlighted the strengths / challenges of a proposed hybrid approach that enabled an increased affordable housing delivery, directly delivered affordable housing through either opening a Housing Revenue Account (HRA) or Local Housing Company, a partnership structure and through the Local Authority (LA) enabling role.

The key issues highlighted and discussed were:

• Members questioned whether SBC would need to invest funding for the enabling approach to achieve 40% affordable housing on developments. Officers explained that 40% affordable housing would be the starting point  for example (i.e. above SBC’s current minimum affordable housing requirement) and, if that was not viable, then would work with the developer to ensure the maximum affordable housing that was viable for the site was built.
• It was noted that while a disposal of land via a disposal agreement would enable the Council to state what type of housing was built on a site, the site would be less valuable than if it was sold via land disposal/long lease disposal where the Council would have limited control over the type of development.
• Opening a HRA was discussed. Officers noted that if a HRA was opened and housing developed on a piece of land without a partnership arrangement, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item PLA/42/24

Consideration was given to the Work Programme.

AGREED that the Work Programme be noted.