Agenda item

Torbay Housing Strategy - 2015 2020 - Mayor's Response to Council Recommendations

To consider the above.

Minutes:

Further to the Council meeting held on 10 December 2015, Members considered the submitted report on the Mayor’s response to the objections raised by the Council and proposed a revised Torbay Housing Strategy 2015-2020.

 

It was proposed by Councillor King and seconded by Councillor Mills:

 

that Torbay’s Housing Strategy including “My Home is My Life” and the new Homelessness Strategy set out at Appendices 2, 3 and 4 to the submitted report be approved.

 

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Thomas (D) and seconded by Councillor Darling (S):

 

(i)         that, subject to (ii) below, Torbay’s Housing Strategy including “My Home is My Life” and the new Homelessness Strategy set out at Appendices 2, 3 and 4 to the submitted report be approved;  and

 

(ii)        that the following table be added to the Housing Strategy as an action plan:

 

Increasing the supply of affordable homes

 

Initiative

Key Actions

Milestones (Dates):

1.   Work with developers to ensure early delivery of affordable homes on S106 sites

Affordable Housing Coordinator to discuss delivery proposals with private development partners to look at ways at securing early delivery

Write to and meet with developers currently on site or about to be on site – May 2016

2.   Work with an RP partner to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes at Hatchcombe Nurseries

Look at options to unblock this site for affordable housing including close liaison with the HCA to maximise funding into the project

Work with an RP partner to produce a detailed timeline and action plan which will include tenure options and value engineering solutions. June 2016

3.   Identify potential Council owned sites that could be used for affordable housing delivery

Identify possible sites in partnership with strategic land task group

Identify 2 x sites and produce a cost benefit analysis linked to the Council priorities. This will include the various outputs along with the level of receipt the Council would forgo by not disposing of these sites on the open market. Sept 2016

4.   Identify possible open market residential sites for acquisition to deliver affordable housing

Assess value for money on using affordable housing grant to purchase open market sites to meet strategic needs and accelerate delivery

Write to land agents operating in Torbay for current and future opportunities. Asses options and consider purchase. April 2016 and ongoing

5.   Investigate the benefits of using providing grant funding to RPs to assist with purchasing additional properties ‘off the shelf’.

Investigate opportunities to accelerate affordable housing delivery through providing grants to allow RPs to purchase of completed units on open market sites

Write to and meet with developers currently on site or about to be on site and assess VFM of providing grant funding to RPs to purchase clusters of properties to use as affordable housing. June 2016

6.   Maximise the potential from the existing stock

Review allocation criteria to consider prioritising households that will be downsizing

Review current policy and consider prioritising all new affordable housing stock for ‘downsizers’ and/or increase priority within Devon Home Choice Dec 2016

7.   Incentivise downsizing

Use affordable housing grant to fund a suite of incentives to free up family accommodation from householders currently under occupying

Look at financial assistance measures to assist with removals, carpets, curtains, white goods. Consider officer support to assist with logistical issues of phone and services. Dec 2016

8.   Provide affordable housing grant to subsidise affordable housing delivery through Registered Providers

Provide subsidy to RPs to ensure the delivery of a variety of tenures and to unblock potentially unviable sites

Write to all RPs making them aware of grant availability for developments within Torbay.

April 2016

Dealing with our Care Homes

 

We will explore the potential for re-use /development of care homes, by working with the private sector and care home owners to find viable development solutions for those care homes that need to exit the care market. Outcomes will include: more family homes, fewer empty / poorly maintained properties; Edwardian / Victorian Villa revival; better health outcomes.

 

Land availability

 

Unless there is specific approval at full Council to the contrary, the Council will not restrict or reduce the current or future value of its assets through the use of contractual restrictions, covenants, peppercorn rents (such an approach is consistent with the emerging Corporate Asset Management Plan).

 

 

In accordance with Standing Order A19.4, a recorded vote was taken on the amendment.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Barnby, Bent, Bye, Carter, Cunningham, Darling (M), Darling (S), Doggett, Ellery, Kingscote, Lewis, Morey, O’Dwyer, Robson, Sanders, Stockman, Stocks, Sykes, Thomas (D), Thomas (J), Tolchard, Tyerman and Winfield (23);  Against:  The Mayor, Councillors Mills, and Stubley (3);  Abstaining:  Councillors Amil, Brooks, Excell, Haddock, Hill, King, Lang, Morris and Parrott (9);  Absent:  Councillors Manning and Stringer (2).  Therefore, as more than two-thirds of Members present and voting had cast their vote in support of the amendment it was declared carried.

 

The substantive motion (amended (i) and additional (ii)) was then before Members for consideration. 

 

In accordance with Standing Order A19.4, a recorded vote was taken on the substantive motion.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Barnby, Bent, Bye, Carter, Cunningham, Darling (M), Darling (S), Doggett, Ellery, King, Kingscote, Lang, Lewis, Morey, O’Dwyer, Parrott, Robson, Sanders, Stockman, Stocks, Sykes, Thomas (D), Thomas (J), Tolchard, Tyerman and Winfield (26);  Against:  The Mayor, Councillors Mills, and Stubley (3);  Abstaining:  Councillors Amil, Brooks, Excell, Haddock, Hill and Morris (6);  Absent:  Councillors Manning and Stringer (2).  Therefore, as more than two-thirds of Members present and voting had cast their vote in support of the substantive motion it was declared carried.

 

(Note:  Prior to the consideration of Minute 118, Councillor O’Dwyer declared his non-pecuniary interest.)

Supporting documents:

 

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