Issue - meetings

Graham Sabourn, Head of Housing introduced the report.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor O Brien asked about the benefits of the Council becoming a house builder. The officer explained that this would allow for additionality on house building sites – where the threshold was 30% affordable housing on a particular site, the Council could choose instead to build 100% affordable housing. The Council would have more control over additionality. Councillor O Brien stated that this would need to be well managed to keep the balance between social housing and market housing. The officer stated that it was unlikely that there would be sites with 100% affordable housing and it would be more like 30% - 50%.

Councillor O Brien asked if there is sufficient control over planning criteria in order to promote carbon neutral buildings. This query would be forwarded to a planning officer for comment.

Councillor Johnson asked if the plan was sufficiently ambitious considering the 5000 people on the waiting list for housing. The officer explained that 5000 is slightly misleading and that while most want to move, he explained that 750 need to move.  Councillor Johnson asked how the delivery had been rated ‘excellent’ over three years and the officer explained that this was from the Strategic Housing Market Assessment.

Councillor Hirst stated that the report was helpful and showed the direction of travel. He asked how the housing could be provided quickly, the officer responded that “purchase and repair” could be an option. Councillor Hirst asked about properties being lost to student housing and HMO’s. The officer responded that blocks of student housing can free up houses for families in the area.

Councillor Born asked if past decisions on HMO’s in areas of high density in the city could be reversed. The officer explained that Article 4 is not retrospective so there is not an option to reverse on this issue. Councillor Craig suggested that universities are advised not to raise their numbers unless students can live on campus.

Councillor Born asked if we could insist on 30% affordable housing for both private developers and housing associations. The officer explained that private developers will be policy compliant but additionality (above the required level) can be paid for.

Councillor Walker asked if empty properties could be bought and rented. The officer explained that there were 250 empty properties in the authority and that around 30 of these could be suitable for social housing.

The Panel agreed the recommendations.