Agenda item

Report number CAB025 of the Leader of the Council                   (Enclosure)

The Leader introduced report number CAB025 which gave details of an urgent key decision that was taken by the Cabinet Member for Retail and Visitor Economy to approve a new discretionary business rate relief scheme following a national revaluation of all commercial properties in April 2017.

Since the publication of the agenda, two urgent non-key decisions had been made; copies of both decisions were circulated to members at the start of the meeting as part of a pack of supplementary papers. These related to changes to the approved draft of the Housing Strategy for consultation and the signing of the armed forces community covenant.

A number of members made comments on the Housing Strategy decision. Figures relating to the number of homes delivered had increased between the draft strategy approved for consultation by Cabinet on 7 September 2017 and the draft approved for consultation as part of the non-key decision; it was clarified that the revised figure of 2,040 was an update to the figure of 1,457, which was the legacy of an early draft of the strategy.

Reference was also made to the identified level of housing need; the draft strategy stated that there was a requirement of 625 homes per annum, the alternative figures that were listed in the draft strategy (680 and 720) related to uplifted targets of 8% and 15%, which had been built into the local plan to provide a cushion. Members noted, however, that a recently released consultation arising from the Housing White Paper prescribed a calculation to determine housing need, which indicated that the figure could increase to 780 homes per annum. The proposal would be subject to consultation until November 2017 but it was considered likely that the figure would persist. Members were advised that consultation on the draft strategy had already commenced when the announcement was made but they were reassured that before the final version of the strategy was presented for decision, the most up-to-date figures would be included.

Some of the amendments made to the draft Housing Strategy related to comments that had been raised at the Cabinet meeting on 7 September 2017. A Councillor who was not a member of the Cabinet made a representation about affordable housing and how he felt that the draft document should demonstrate a firmer commitment to delivery of affordable housing.

Further comments were made about housing need for, and the shortage of, affordable housing. The traditional definition of affordable housing was social housing for rent or shared ownership however this was broadened by the Housing White Paper to include starter homes and subsidies for first-time buyers. It was anticipated that in future the Council’s affordable housing target could be split between the traditional forms of affordable housing and starter homes. Support was also voiced for the proposals in the strategy to work with private sector landlords.

Some concern was expressed about the potential impacts of the imminent introduction of universal credit. Council members were advised that the Cabinet was discussing possible responses that could be implemented when the actual impact of the introduction was known.

One member asked about the Council’s powers to acquire derelict land to enable the development of affordable housing. The Council had developed a register of derelict land within the district. It could privately negotiate with the landowners to acquire the site through a standard sale arrangement, it also had powers to compulsorily purchase sites however this was a process of last resort..

Comment was made about circulating supplementary documents with the changes clearly tracked. Members of the Council noted the report.