Council and democracy
Home > Council and Democracy > Decision register
- Approval to pursue compulsory purchase of long term empty property in a residential area of Cambridge City, in line with Empty Homes Policy.
- Approve provision of funding for purchase either through compulsory purchase or voluntary sale which will be recovered through the subsequent sale of the property.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 04/10/2019
Effective from: 18/06/2019
Decision:
The Housing Scrutiny Committee undertook a public interest
test and resolved by 4 votes to 3 to exclude members of the public from the
meeting on the grounds that, if they were present, there would be disclosure to
them of information defined as exempt from publication by virtue of paragraphs
1 & 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
Matter for Decision
The report outlined a long term empty property which had
been unoccupied for 6 months or more and as such further action by the Council
was required to bring it back into use.
Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing
i. Approved the
Compulsory Purchase powers pursuant to Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 in
respect of in respect of the empty property referenced in the officer’s report,
in order to acquire the property and bring it back into residential use.
ii. Authorised proceedings to make a
Compulsory Purchase Order and officers are instructed to take all necessary
action to implement the resolution.
iii. Approved the capital funding as outlined
in section 4 (Financial Implications) of the officer’s report is made available
in respect of the acquisition and associated costs which will be recovered
through the sale of the property.
Scrutiny Considerations
The Committee received a report from the Empty Homes Officer.
The Committee welcomed the report.
The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the
recommendations.
The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.
Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor
(and any Dispensations Granted)
No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.
Lead officer: Simonetta Macellari
No decision - review of progress on previously agreed 500 homes programme.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 04/10/2019
Effective from: 18/06/2019
Decision:
Matter for Decision
The report provided an update on the programme to deliver
500
Council homes with funding from the Combined Authority.
Decision of the
Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Noted the continued progress on the delivery of
the Combined Authority programme.
ii.
Noted the funding structure for the Combined
Authority programme.
Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected
Not applicable.
Scrutiny Considerations
The Committee
received a report from the Head of Housing Development Agency.
In response to questions and comments from the Committee the Strategic
Director and Head of Housing Development said the following:
i.
The Council had its own sustainability housing standard which all
dwellings across the housing programme met or exceeded.
ii.
The Council’s standard surpassed the national
sustainability requirements.
iii.
Each development was treated differently
regarding sustainability, as each site had different constraints and
requirements.
iv.
The Mill Road development had a 19% improvement
on the sustainability building regulations. This was due to certain factors
such as a fabric first approach, solar panels, heat and power systems which
would reduce admissions significantly.
v.
Electric vehicle charging points would be
installed on certain developments.
vi.
Stopping the use of fossil fuels on a
development would be a long term project for officers to investigate.
vii.
Passive house standards
was impacted by the site constrained as well as type of homes built.
viii.
It was not currently possible to deliver a
passive house standard on higher level apartments.
ix.
Reiterated the Councils build programme had been
designed to meet a high level of sustainability.
x.
The consultation process on the Meadows and
Buchan Street development had been voluntary. This was in advance of the
statutory consultation process which would follow.
xi.
Over three thousand leaflets had been
distributed to advertise the Meadows and Bucham
Street public consultation. Posters had been displayed throughout the area and
advertised online. The exhibition finished at 9.00pm for people to attend after
work.
xii.
A follow up meeting was then arranged to discuss
concerns raised at the exhibition which covered the loss of open space.
xiii.
In respect of the Cromwell Road development the
plans put forward had been for 295 houses, which was above the Supplementary
Planning Document (SPD) proposal of 225 houses. The profit margin was lower for
the council’s joint venture partner compared to what they would have received
developing the site themselves.
xiv.
Had listened to public consultation on the
Meadows and Bucham Scheme. Officers were currently
working with architects on how to enhance the public open space; therefore no
clear response could have been given to the public speaker. The public
consultation was still open on this matter.
xv.
The demand for housing in the area which the
Meadows and Bucham Street stood was one of the
highest in the city.
xvi.
The relationship with the Cambridge Investment
Partnership (CIP) was 50/50 joint venture but set up as an independent company.
All of the accounting was by open book and had audited accounts
The Committee resolved by 5 votes to 0 to endorse the
recommendations.
The
Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.
Conflicts
of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and
any Dispensations Granted)
No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.
Lead officer: Claire Flowers
Request for budget to develop a new housing scheme at Campkin Road - indicative outturn 70 Council Homes.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 04/10/2019
Effective from: 18/06/2019
Decision:
Matter for Decision
The report referred to the
devolution deal with Central Government and sought approval for a capital
budget for the scheme based on
the indicative capacity study
which had been undertaken for the site and the outlined appraisals referenced
in the Officer’s report and for the delivery route to be adopted.
Decision of the Executive Councillor for
Housing
i.
Approved the scheme in
principle, recommending to Council, the inclusion of an indicative capital
budget for the scheme of £15,964,921 in the Housing Capital Investment Plan, to
cover all of the site assembly, construction costs, professional fees and
associated other fees to deliver a scheme that meets an identified housing need
in Cambridge City.
ii.
Approved that, subject
to Council approval of the budget,
delegated authority be given to the Exec Cllr for Housing in conjunction
with the Strategic Director to enable the site to be developed through
Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) subject to a value for money assessment
to be carried out on behalf of the Council.
iii.
Authorised, subject to
Council approval of the budget, the Strategic Director in consultation with the
Executive Councillor for housing to approve variations to the scheme including
the number of units and mix of property types and sizes outlined in this
report.
iv.
Approved the use of the
updated Council Home Loss Policy attached as Appendix 3 of the Officer’s
report.
v.
Delegated authority,
subject to Council approval of the budget, to the Strategic Director to
commence Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) proceedings on Leasehold properties to
be demolished to enable the development should these be required.
vi.
Delegated authority to
the Strategic Director to serve initial Demolition Notices under the Housing
Act 1985.
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 Senior
Development Manager Housing.
In response to comments
and questions from the Committee the Senior Development Manager Housing said the following:
i.
Did not have the percentage figures for the area of land the site was to
be built on.
ii.
The form of the development had been set by the need to keep the line of
trees which ran along Campkin Road.
iii.
Acknowledged there had been previous problems with shared ownership
tenures concerning the letting and selling of these properties. The Committee
had previously discussed these issues and possible solutions such as changes to
the tenure to reintroduce as homes for rent.
iv.
The scheme was for all council rented homes.
v.
There was currently no shared ownership in this scheme.
vi.
The key factor was to deliver rented affordable housing in the city.
vii.
Was aware that parking in the area was difficult. The scheme’s proposal
was a ratio of 0.65 parking spaces to each dwelling.
viii.
Did not believe the development had a major impact on the availability
of open spaces; the most significant aspect of the open space was the line of
trees earlier referenced.
ix.
In line with planning policy 5% of the dwellings would be wheel chair
adapted.
x.
Through the Climate Change Strategy and action plan the Council were due
to go to tender to install electric charging points across the council car
parks. The electric charging points would also be addressed through the
Council’s individual planning applications.
xi.
Tenants affected by the development would be given emergency housing
status. They would also be permitted to move back but this would be at a higher
rental rate. However there would a range of compensation packages for a loss of
their homes in the first instance and for those tenants who were under occupied
would have the option to downsize.
The Executive Councillor informed the Committee the unsold shared
ownership units on the Virido development had been
approved by Homes England to be turned into Council rented accommodation.
Approval from Planning was required to finalise this.
The Committee resolved by 5 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendations.
The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.
Lead officer: Mark Wilson
(i) Recommend to Council to approve carry forward requests
for revenue funding from 2018/19 to 2019/20, if appropriate, as detailed in report
appendix.
(ii) Recommend to Council to approve capital funding rephasing
from 2018/19 to 2019/20, where relevant, as detailed in report appendix.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 04/10/2019
Effective from: 18/06/2019
Decision:
Matter for Decision
The report presented, for the Housing Revenue Account:
i. A summary of actual income and expenditure
compared to the final budget for 2018/19 (outturn position)
ii. Revenue and
capital budget variances with explanations
iii. Specific
requests to carry forward funding available from budget underspends into
2019/20.
iv. A summary of
housing debt which was written off during 2018/19.
Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Approved carry forward requests totalling
£772,500 in revenue funding from 2018/19 into 2019/20, as detailed in Appendix
C of the Officer’s report (Part 1 of the recommendation)
ii.
Approved carry forward requests of £5,256,000 in
HRA and General Fund Housing capital budgets and associated resources from
2018/19 into 2019/20 to fund re-phased net capital spending, as detailed in
Appendix D and the associated notes to the appendix of the Officer’s report is
recommended to Council (Part 2 of the recommendation)
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 Assistant Head of
Finance / Business Manager.
The Assistant Head of Finance / Business Manager informed
Members that officers will be bringing the revised housing revenue business
plan to Committee in September including an updated Assessment Management plan.
However the outturn figures which had been reported at this
meeting had raised concern, areas highlighted were repairs spending, the over
reliance of the external contractors and increased costs.
The Head of Housing Maintenance and Assets conformed that
investigation work had started immediately on revenue, repairs and voids.
Officers needed to ensure the service was being managed well financially and
operationally. An external consultant would be used to provide additional
capacity to assist with these reviews and would be reported to the Housing
Scrutiny Committee once completed.
In response the Strategic Director, Head of Housing
Maintenance and Assets and the Assistant Head of Finance / Business Manager
stated the following in response to Members’ questions:
i.
Noted the concerns regarding the underspend in
the Decent Homes Programme; to deliver the programme was dependent on a number of factors, such as having
planned maintenance contractors in place and the workforce to survey the work
and place the task orders. There had also been some tenant refusals.
ii.
Issues with staff shortages in the Technical
Services team had meant the complete programme had not been
delivered as not all surveys and orders could be not undertaken. Had
recruited to some of the vacant posts.
iii.
Acknowledged the comment there were trained
resident inspectors who could inspect void properties and make recommendations.
iv.
Agreed the maintenance of Council homes was
important and staff were committed to make sure the standards were met.
v.
Could not comment on a particular complaint
raised in Committee but the emergency
had been dealt with promptly and had been in touch with the complainant
and apologised for the length of time they were waiting for the work to be made
good.
vi.
This complaint and others had highlighted that
some of the Council’s processes were not as good as they should have been;
processes required modernising and improvement which was why the review had
been brought forward.
vii.
The review would explore whether the quality of
the housing stock was deteriorating due to the lack of investment.
viii.
The Assessment Management Plan would determine
what detailed work was required to the Council’s housing stock.
ix.
Significant funding had been taken out of
housing maintenance and the delivery of housing services as a result of Government
policy changes in 2016.
x.
The new business plan would take into account
investment in the Council’s own stock and the ability to provide new homes; the
balance of investment would be something that the Committee would consider at a
future meeting.
xi.
The review would also examine if the
organisational structure was fit for purpose
xii.
Planned to build stronger services which would
be more responsive to repairs.
xiii.
A new housing management system had been
purchased which would improve the business processes and reporting processes
and trends would easily be identified.
xiv.
The review would consider whether any rental
surplus in the Housing Revenue Account should be used for investment in new
homes be set aside to redeem debt.
xv.
Any major variances of over £20,000 were
recorded and reported. The column showing ‘other’ would be the total of all the
other cost centres where there were small variances.
xvi.
One in fourteen Council tenants had transitioned to universal credit.
xvii.
The Disabled Facilities Grant came from
Government and used in the private sector not for disabled adaptations in the
Council’s housing stock. As it was a Government grant this had to be requested
to be carried forward to use in 2019/20.
xviii.
The new housing management system will allow
residents to access their accounts online.
xix.
Welcomed the suggestion of a resident online
annual review; officers would work with the Resident Engagement Officer to look
at the best ways that residents could provide feedback.
The Committee resolved by 8 votes to 0 to endorse part 1 of
the recommendation
The Committee resolved by 5 votes to 0 to endorse part 2 of
the recommendation.
The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.
Lead officer: Julia Hovells
(i) Recommend to Council to approve carry forward requests for revenue funding from 2018/19 to 2019/20, if appropriate, as detailed in a separate appendix
(ii) Recommend to Council to approve capital funding rephasing from 2018/19 to 2019/20, where relevant, as detailed in a separate appendix
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 04/10/2019
Effective from: 18/06/2019
Decision:
Matter for Decision
The report presented, for the General Fund Housing
portfolio.
i. A
summary of actual income and expenditure compared to the final budget for
2018/19 (outturn position)
ii. Revenue and capital budget
variances with explanations
iii.
Specific requests to carry forward funding available from budget underspends
into 2019/20.
Members of the Scrutiny Committee were asked to consider and
make known their views on the proposals for consideration by the Executive
Councillor for Finance and Resources at the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny
Committee on 1 July 2019.
Decision of the
Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Approved carry forward requests of revenue funding
from 2018/19 to 2019/20, as detailed in Appendix
C of the Officer’s report, noting that none were proposed for this portfolio
on this occasion.
ii.
Approved carry forward requests of £200,000 in
capital resources from 2018/19 to 2019/20 to fund re-phased net capital
spending, as detailed in Appendix D of
the Officer’s report.
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 Assistant Head of Finance / Business Manager.
The Committee were
advised this would be the last year that individual reports were produced for
each portfolio for presentation to the relevant scrutiny committee. In line
with the revised budget scrutiny process followed for the 2019/20 budget, one
combined 2019/20 General Fund outturn report covering all portfolios would be
produced for scrutiny at Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee.
The Committee resolved by 5 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendations.
The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.
Lead officer: Chris Humphris
To approve the review document and recommendations contained therein for permanent funding of additional staff taken on to meet the additional demands of the Act.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 04/10/2019
Effective from: 18/06/2019
Decision:
Matter for Decision
The
reported referred to The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (‘the Act’), came into
effect on 3 April 2018. The Act placed
major new duties on authorities to relieve or prevent homelessness.
Decision of the
Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Noted
the contents of the report and endorsed the approach the Council had taken as
described in the appendix of the officer’s report in relation to applying its
new powers.
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 Housing which outlined The
Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the key aspects of the new act.
In response to questions and comments from the Committee the Head of
Housing said the following:
i.
With regards to the hidden homeless,
intelligence was gained from housing forms submitted to the Council. Applicants
would indicate if they were sofa surfing, moving between properties, or if they
had a bedroom of their own in the accommodation where they were staying.
ii.
Officers would follow up with those individuals
if there was sufficient concern of an imminent threat of homelessness.
iii.
There had been 212 referrals in six months under
the duty to refer from statutory bodies (such as the prison services) to the
Council.
iv.
Under the homelessness partnership the council shared
good practice with other local authorities.
v.
The Executive Councillor for Housing thanked the Head of
Housing and his team for the work that they had undertaken dealing with the
increase in caseloads. He also welcomed the Government’s decision to scrap the
section 21 notice, the ‘no fault’ eviction issued to tenants from their
landlords.
The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the
recommendations.
The
Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.
Conflicts
of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and
any Dispensations Granted)
No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.
Lead officer: James McWilliams