Agenda item

COUNCIL HOUSE BUILDING PROGRAMME

Minutes:

Graham Sabourn, Head of Housing, and Councillor Tom Davies, Cabinet Member for Adults and Council House Building, introduced the report.

 

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

 

The officer addressed the queries sent in advance by Councillor O Brien on:

 

·  The specifics of sites

·  Financing

·  Right to buy receipts.

 

Regarding sites, he explained that this had been exempt information but as the planning stage is reached, some site details can be released – he gave details of two sites, 117 Newbridge (7 units) and Argyle Works, Lower Bristol Road (8 units). There are six other sites which any Councillor can view by contacting Mr Sabourn directly. Secondly, in terms of revenue costs, the building programme is revenue neutral, the rent pays for management costs. He further explained that there are development “on costs” which will be, in part, filled by council employees. There will also be some consultancy costs. The Cabinet Report shows that the on costs are wrapped up in the Capital cost (one off costs). The ongoing revenue costs are included in the rents. He went on to address the last point explaining that right to buy receipts carry forward is £2.5million. This year is not confirmed but likely to be in the order of £1.2/1.3 million.

 

 

 

Councillor Grant Johnson asked the following questions (Officer or Cabinet Member response shown in italics):

 

·  I welcome this paper, it is an important step but the scale of our ambition is not enough. There are currently 600 properties available each year but 6,000 households on the waiting list for social housing. Councillor Tom Davies, Cabinet Member for Adults and Council House Building, stated that he concurs around the sense of need, we are introducing a work stream, a service and we are in phase 1 of becoming a registered provider. We are working on a medium/long term strategy, the scale of ambition is there.

·  There is no ongoing revenue impact – what is the further context of our plan? Graham Sabourn, Head of Housing explained that this is a journey, the first time we have done this as Bath & North East Somerset Council, we have a plan but not a decision yet.

 

Councillor Shelley Bromley asked the following questions (Officer or Cabinet Member response shown in italics):

 

·  How long, on average, do people, especially families, stay on the waiting list? Graham Sabourn, Head of Housing explained that there are 6,000 households on the waiting list and 600 properties become available each year. Those with an urgent need to move can wait 6 months -1 year on average and those who would like to move (but have no urgent need) can wait up to 10 years.

·  Are the 593 affordable housing units just in Bath or across the authority? Graham Sabourn, Head of Housing stated that he did not know this information.

 

Councillor Joel Hirst commented that his initial feeling would be to try to develop expertise for this new service in house. He also asked when a paper on the medium to long term strategy could be expected. The officer explained that he was hoping to bring a paper in the next few months which would give a clear direction of travel.

 

Councillor Ruth Malloy asked if contact had been made with other Local Authorities, especially in terms of a future management company. The officer stated that he did have ad hoc conversations with counterparts.

 

RESOLVED to note the current progress.

 

Supporting documents: