Issue - decisions

1.

Title of Item/Report

Accelerating affordable housing delivery (‘A quality home for all’)

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on Accelerating affordable housing delivery (‘A quality home for all’).

Government had recently announced an overhaul of the planning system to “fix the foundations and grow the economy”. As part of this announcement Government stated its ambition to increase the delivery of quality affordable and social housing and to bring forward investment to help deliver “the biggest increase in affordable house building in a generation”.  The need to build affordable housing was recognised not only as an economic driver but a key enabler for local leaders to manage local pressures including tackling and preventing homelessness. 

Like many local authorities the Council was experiencing increased demand for affordable housing (for sale and rent) and these pressures were being felt by multiply service areas (including homelessness, care leavers and vulnerable adults). Against this backdrop and to ensure the Council was best placed to meet the Governments housing growth agenda, specifically their commitment to increasing and diversifying housing supply an affordable housing delivery option appraisal had commenced.  The option appraisal would explore opportunities for how the Council could increase the delivery of affordable housing, both in terms of numbers and speed of delivery.  The report provided an overview of this appraisal.

The report highlighted the following areas:-

-       Background – current housing demand

-       Ongoing Place Select Committee scrutiny review

-       The national agenda

-       Affordable housing delivery option appraisal

RESOLVED that:-

1. The current pressures faced by the Council in terms of addressing our residents housing needs (as detailed in paragraph 1 of the report) be noted and the emerging findings of the current Place Select Committee ‘Affordable Housing Delivery’ scrutiny review (as detailed in paragraph 3 of the report) be noted.

2. The option appraisal which will explore the possibilities available to the Council to accelerate affordable housing delivery in the borough be and maximise inward investment to address current and projected housing need be supported.

3. Following the conclusion of recommendation 2, a further report be presented back to Cabinet.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

Both the Councils Vision (as detailed in the Council Plan 2023-2026) and the Powering Our Future programme affirm the Councils commitment to driving economic growth to support community prosperity and well-being.  The delivery of good quality, affordable housing in well-connected neighbourhoods will be integral to this.  Although the Council is a non-stock holding local authority, the option appraisal will ensure we are best placed to respond positively to any additional investment opportunities, support the Government deliver its affordable and social housing commitments and address the boroughs local housing needs (providing ‘a quality home for all’).

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

N/A