Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision The report referred to the Homerton College scheme which is the first to be brought forward in the next phase of the Council’s own Social Housing Programme and is notable to be the first opportunity to work on a site not owned by the Council.

 

The report described the funding background to the next phase of the Social Housing Programme and explains that the factor that is driving our decision making on which schemes to prioritise is the need to spend Right to Buy receipts within a given time limit.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

The Executive Councillor for Housing resolved to:

       i.          Approved in principle for the Council to deliver social housing on the Homerton College scheme - noting that a final scheme will be brought back to Committee for scrutiny and approval.

     ii.          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 Head of Strategic Housing.

 

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

 

       i.          Congratulated the Head of Strategic Housing and his team.

     ii.          Queried if and how many properties would be tailored for disabled users, such as wheel chair access.

   iii.          Stated it would be helpful for the Government to remove the constraints, particularly on the amount that the Council could borrow in order to move forward.

   iv.          Acknowledged that it was a good news story for the Council but expressed disappointment that the properties did not have to be built to code level five.

    v.          Asked if it was too late to negotiate with the developer to build to code level five.

   vi.          Noted the news release as being slightly misleading as the Housing Scrutiny Committee had not formally agreed the report and planning permission had not yet been granted by the Planning Committee.

 vii.          Asked if the percentage of affordable housing would change.

 

In response to Committees comments Officers, the Director of Community and Customer Services stated the following:

 

                           i.          Noted the comments regarding the press release.

                         ii.          As the scheme is well on the way to a detailed planning application the Council has very limited influence on the detail.

                       iii.          Very pleased that the Council that are part of the project.

                       iv.          With future projects it is hoped that the Council work in partnership from the start and would be able to influence such factors as building to code level five.

                        v.          The 40% affordable housing should not change as it would be a breach of planning policy.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (unanimously) to endorse the recommendation.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.  

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

 

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.