Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Housing Services.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 20 January 2009 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Housing Services was submitted, considering the implications of the housing market downturn and the Council’s response, particularly in relation to the provision of affordable housing.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 20 January 2009 and the comments of Members were noted. With regard to the proposal in respect of the definition of minor variations to the terms of existing and proposed Section 106 agreements, Executive noted the particular concern expressed by one member of the Committee. He feared that member involvement would be limited and requested that consideration be given to other ways of involving ward and Planning Committee members.  A further report by the Head of Housing Services and the Head of Planning and Building Control addressing the Councillor’s concerns was circulated. The report stated that a reduction in the amount of affordable housing, or the percentage of affordable housing for rent, would not be considered “minor” variations which could be made under delegated powers.  Members’ concern that they might be unaware of additional affordable housing being proposed in their wards was acknowledged but this was not controllable through the Planning system. The Head of Housing Services had undertaken to ensure that the Housing Enabling team kept members aware of changes of this kind. The Director Community and Environment had spoken to the Chair of Scrutiny Committee – Community who felt that the additional report addressed the issues raised at Scrutiny Committee – Community.

Executive members acknowledged the severe threat posed by the downturn in the housing market, particularly in relation to the provision of affordable housing through the use of Section 106 agreements. They welcomed the range of innovative solutions proposed by officers to negate the worst effects of the downturn in the housing market. Members hoped that the Government’s proposals enabling the construction of homes by Councils would come to fruition and were advised that the Head of Housing Services was looking into this and members would be kept informed.  Another member sought assurance that the design and quality of new building would not be allowed to decline. The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Social Inclusion responded that building regulations required increasingly high specifications, for example in relation to energy efficiency, and recent construction often exceeded required standards.

Executive resolvedthat:-

(1)        the report and its contents be noted;

(2)        a flexible approach be maintained to renegotiate and vary existing Section 106 agreements and consents to encourage the development of affordable housing wherever possible; and

(3)        variations to the specific terms of S106 agreements regarding affordable housing, where they meet the following criteria, should be treated as minor and therefore delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control in consultation with the Head of Legal Services and Chair of Planning Committee:-

(a)        they do not affect the “headline” terms reported to Planning Committee and contained in that Committee’s resolution;

(b)        they do not result in a reduction in the overall proportion of affordable housing on a site, nor in the proportion of affordable housing for rent;

(c )       they have the support of the Head of Housing Services; and

(4)        the Head of Housing Services will consult the Portfolio Holder for Housing & Social Inclusion and relevant ward members in relation to the provision of affordable housing on specific sites.

The report of the Head of Housing Services was submitted, considering the implications of the housing market downturn and the Council’s response, particularly in relation to the provision of affordable housing.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 20 January 2009 and the comments of Members were noted. With regard to the proposal in respect of the definition of minor variations to the terms of existing and proposed Section 106 agreements, Executive noted the particular concern expressed by one member of the Committee. He feared that member involvement would be limited and requested that consideration be given to other ways of involving ward and Planning Committee members.  A further report by the Head of Housing Services and the Head of Planning and Building Control addressing the Councillor’s concerns was circulated. The report stated that a reduction in the amount of affordable housing, or the percentage of affordable housing for rent, would not be considered “minor” variations which could be made under delegated powers.  Members’ concern that they might be unaware of additional affordable housing being proposed in their wards was acknowledged but this was not controllable through the Planning system. The Head of Housing Services had undertaken to ensure that the Housing Enabling team kept members aware of changes of this kind. The Director Community and Environment had spoken to the Chair of Scrutiny Committee – Community who felt that the additional report addressed the issues raised at Scrutiny Committee – Community.

Executive members acknowledged the severe threat posed by the downturn in the housing market, particularly in relation to the provision of affordable housing through the use of Section 106 agreements. They welcomed the range of innovative solutions proposed by officers to negate the worst effects of the downturn in the housing market. Members hoped that the Government’s proposals enabling the construction of homes by Councils would come to fruition and were advised that the Head of Housing Services was looking into this and members would be kept informed.  Another member sought assurance that the design and quality of new building would not be allowed to decline. The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Social Inclusion responded that building regulations required increasingly high specifications, for example in relation to energy efficiency, and recent construction often exceeded required standards.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)        the report and its contents be noted;

(2)        a flexible approach be maintained to renegotiate and vary existing Section 106 agreements and consents to encourage the development of affordable housing wherever possible; and

(3)        variations to the specific terms of S106 agreements regarding affordable housing, where they meet the following criteria, should be treated as minor and therefore delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control in consultation with the Head of Legal Services and Chair of Planning Committee:-

(a)        they do not affect the “headline” terms reported to Planning Committee and contained in that Committee’s resolution;

(b)        they do not result in a reduction in the overall proportion of affordable housing on a site, nor in the proportion of affordable housing for rent;

(c )       they have the support of the Head of Housing Services; and

(4)        the Head of Housing Services will consult the Portfolio Holder for Housing & Social Inclusion and relevant ward members in relation to the provision of affordable housing on specific sites.

(Report circulated)