Issue - meetings

To introduce a HRA Housing Delivery Framework to inform future investment decisions for the HRA Capital Programme relating to housing development (report of the Portfolio Holder – Assets and Planning, the Portfolio Holder – HRA and Private Sector Housing, and the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) (S151) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder – Assets and Planning, the Portfolio Holder – HRA and Private Sector Housing, and the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) (S151).

It was noted that recommendation 2 of the report had additional wording that was not required, and that ‘….and the Policy Framework be amended to include the’ be removed.

DECISION:

1)    That the proposal to amend the Policy Framework to include the HRA Housing Delivery Framework be supported and recommended to Council for approval;

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

2)    That the HRA Housing Delivery Framework, at Appendix A to the report, which informs and guides future Executive decisions for the HRA Capital Programme for housing development, be approved;

3)    That the HRA Housing Delivery Framework be included as a local choice policy in the Council’s Policy Framework and that the Constitution, at Article 4.3, be amended accordingly; and

4)    That the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) and S151 be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to negotiate, approve, enter into and sign grant agreements relating to grant allocations which have been approved by Council, Cabinet or Portfolio Holder relating to the delivery of homes for the HRA.

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing.

Reasons for decision:

·         To identify the preferred nature of schemes for future investment;

·         To ensure that investment decisions are made which adhere to the framework;

·         To clarify that schemes which are outside of the remit of the framework will only be pursued if they have been referred to, and approved by, Council; and

·         To provide a framework within which the Executive can approve the delivery of HRA housing projects).

To introduce a HRA Housing Delivery Framework to inform future investment decisions for the HRA Capital Programme relating to housing development (report of the Executive Director – Strategy & Resource enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Director – Strategy & Resource, which introduced an HRA Housing Delivery Framework to inform future investment decisions for the HRA Capital Programme relating to housing development.

The officer for Head of Delivery – Strategic Housing introduced the new framework and shared a presentation with members to explain the key points, which detailed:

·         the purpose of the policy which provided a clear framework and filled a policy vacuum;

·         an overview of the benefits of the framework which served to create certainty around which projects should be considered for delivery;

·         an overview of the delivery models which would be within scope;

·         the guiding principles to assist SHDC when considering which proposals to move forward;

·         budgetary implications; and confirmation that ward consultations would take place prior to each decision

Consideration was given by Members, and the following comments were made: 

·         The new policy was welcomed;

·         Members asked whether the skill set to deliver the strategy existed within the council.

o   Officers were confident that the skill set existed within the fully staffed team and relevant experience was held in all required areas.

·         Clarity was requested as to where the consideration of infrastructure and amenities sat within the framework when selecting properties for residents.

o   Officers clarified that this area would be considered under the framework’s guiding principles relating to location and would include consultations with ward members; evidence bases of housing allocations to inform where people wanted to live, considering amenities such as schools; and housing management regarding sustainability. It was agreed that consideration of amenities and infrastructure needed to be strengthened within the next iteration of the framework.

·         Where groups of properties were purchased, the issue of ground maintenance needed to be considered.

o   Officers advised that ground maintenance varied on a site-by-site basis depending on whether the council owned part or all of the site or whether it was a Section 106 site. It was agreed that a statement regarding ground maintenance would be added.

AGREED:

That comments regarding the HRA Housing Delivery Framework be noted, and approval given to be taken forward to Cabinet on 26 October 2021