Decision details

To seek Executive Councillor approval for a revised policy for spending capital receipts from developers of s106 sites on provision of new affordable housing.

Matter for Decision

     i.        The purpose of the report was to set out the way in which commuted s106 funds, paid by developers in lieu of affordable housing, could be spent.

    ii.        The council’s existing policy on spending housing related s106 developer contributions dates back to 2005. The policy needed to be updated so that any available funds could be spent appropriately to meet strategic priorities.

   iii.        The report proposed that the Council utilised housing capital receipts to increase the supply of affordable housing.  The sums received should be made available, initially, to provide new affordable housing via Council’s own new-build programme.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

     i.        Agreed that decisions around spending of developer contributions earmarked for new affordable housing were generally made based on the following order of priority:

a.   To help fund new affordable housing as part of the council’s own house building programme;

b.   To enable the council to purchase new homes to meet affordable housing needs;

c.   To help fund affordable housing to be developed by other Registered Providers.

    ii.        Agreed that exceptions to recommendation 2.1 (decision i) may apply in specific circumstances – e.g. if a home is needed for a disabled applicant and it can be provided more appropriately or cost-effectively by another Registered Provider; subject to Executive Councillor approval.

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 Growth Projects Officer (Community & Culture).

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

     i.        Sought clarification regarding geographical area eligible for projects.

    ii.        Discussion of points to be raised in the response to mixed funding of sites.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.