Issue - decisions

This Item was chaired Councillor Mike Todd-Jones

Matter for Decision

The report provided an up-date on the sites in the Council’s New Build Housing Programme – whether recently completed; under construction or being assessed in terms of feasibility and viability for development. The latter was known as the Rolling Programme.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

       i.          Noted the up-dated position of schemes including those on the current Rolling Programme (Appendix 1 and 2 of the Officer’s report).

     ii.          Approved the new Rolling Programme (Appendix 3 of the Officer’s report).

Reason for the Decision

At the March 2017 Housing Committee, the Executive Councillor for Housing approved a development framework within which new housing by the Council would be delivered. The framework included a commitment to bring a report to the Housing Committee every year to demonstrate progress of schemes on the Rolling Programme.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Managing Director, Housing Development Agency, regarding the New Build Housing Programme.

The Committee sought reassurance that full consultation and engagement would be completed with relevant residents and communities. The Managing Director, Housing Development Agency, reminded the Committee that they had received a report on the engagement strategy in March 2016. 

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

       i.          The costs associated with re-housing or decanting residents had been taken into account.

     ii.          The timeframes for some development on the programme had been extended due to the rent cut decision of 2015. At that point the development programme had been placed on pause.

   iii.          New build properties would generally have a three year delivery timescale and therefore restarting the programme would take time before new housing was delivered.

   iv.          The programme would be a mix of small scale, in-fill projects and larger developments. A balanced approach would be needed to deliver the targets.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.