Decision details

To note the progress on Cambridge City Council's Affordable Housing Programme as funded by the Combined Authority Devolution grant.

Matter for Decision

The report provided an update on the programme to deliver 500 Council homes by March 2022 with funding from the Combined Authority.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

       i.          Noted the overall progress on the Combined Authority programme to deliver 500 Council rented homes.

     ii.          Noted the overall Cambridge Investment Partnership programme.

   iii.          Approved (subject to specific project approvals) the addition of the Meadows Centre & Buchan Street site to the Affordable Housing Programme.

   iv.          Noted the updated reporting arrangements with the Combined Authority.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Manager, Housing Development Agency.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.          Suggested that a covering report listing all sites under development, budgets and delays would be very useful as an overview.

     ii.          Suggested that it was good that housing was being delivered but questioned how the Committee could be sure that this was the most efficient delivery method. A clear tracking of projects against the predicted budgets was needed.

The Manager, Housing Development Agency said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          Stated that 611 homes were being delivered against a target of 500. These were a mix of new properties and re-provision and would be delivered very close to the original budget.

The Committee resolved (by 4 votes to 0) to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.