Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development – Councillor Tim Ball will give the Panel a short verbal update on the Council House Building Programme.

Graham Sabourn, Head of Housing gave a short verbal update on the Council House Building Programme on behalf on the Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development.

He explained that, since reporting to this Panel in September 2019, there had been a facilitated meeting with the Vice Chair Councillor Davies at which several clear aspirations were identified, including

o  that any housing should be genuinely affordable, including using social rent or similar;

o  that any housing should strive to be as energy efficient as possible;

o  that we should work in partnership with ADL & focus on our own land;

o  that we should provide a mix of housing including housing for rent, shared-ownership and supported housing;

o  complement existing delivery mechanisms.

The officer explained that a high-level feasibility plan had been developed following the above meeting which demonstrates that:

o  That by using our existing sites & combined some innovative tenure models we have the potential to deliver around 100 homes over the next five years;

o  This would include a combination of:

§  Supported housing (temporary accommodation)

§  Specialist low-cost young persons shared housing

§  General for rent housing;

§  Traditional shared-ownership accommodation (ie new build);

§  DIY Shared-ownership accommodation (where applicant selects property from 
the used market).

o  This programme would also look to utilise any suitable recovered empty properties. 

The officer concluded that officers are now working with the finance team to develop an appropriate business plan which will go for further consideration and will report back to this Panel at the relevant time.

The Panel asked the following questions and raised the following points:

Councillor Hirst asked how the Panel can help officers with the plan to deliver 100 houses over five years or indeed to be more ambitious. The officer explained that the Panel can help by being clear about what aspirations and requests are. He explained that this first stage should provide a springboard for future ambitions.

Councillor O Brien asked if land all over BANES will be used for these houses and added that she hopes that residents benefit from these properties rather than students. The officer explained that sites were mainly in Bath but he is mindful of looking at other schemes and the DIY shared ownership model can take place anywhere. He confirmed that these houses would be for people on the housing register and not students.

In response to a query from Council Craig regarding low cost young persons shared housing, the officer explained that the YMCA manage some properties where rooms are rented out to young people, it is a transitional scheme and needs some support. The officer explained that three similar schemes are being considered. In response to a query from Councillor Bromley the officer explained that this is a hybrid scheme run with the YMCA and that emergency accommodation is managed by the authority.

Councillor Bromley asked if ward Councillors could feed back information regarding empty properties. The officer explained that there is a list being worked through at present and that it would be helpful if ward Councillors passed on any information regarding empty properties. He explained that empty properties can be reported on the Council’s website and a ‘Fix my street’ App will be launched shortly.

Councillor Davies asked when the first of the 100 houses would be on stream. The officer explained that it should be on the latter part of this year and will be spread over 5 years. He explained that it can depend on when ADL bring the sites forward.

Councillor Davies asked if there was reassurance of increased resources regarding the full business case for the Council House programme. The officer explained that there has been an offer of an increase in the budget but that there was a challenge to find the right people to help.

Councillor Born stated that the Council had not had housing stock for some time and asked why we are going back to this. The officer explained that this was a clear political ambition and that the Council has a responsibility to provide people with housing including some people that are challenging to house.

Councillor Walker thanked the officer for the update and noted that progress on the Council House Building Programme would be reported to the Panel at relevant times.