Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Cabinet Member was invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests she might have in the business on the agenda.

No interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 2011.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the last Decision Session of the Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services held on 20 December 2011, be approved and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak at the meeting can do so. The deadline for registering is 5pm on Monday 23 January 2012.

Members of the public may register to speak on:

·        an item on the agenda;

·        an issue within the Cabinet Member’s remit;

·        an item that has been published on the Information Log for the current session.  Information reports are listed at the end of the agenda.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report advises the Cabinet Member of the framework under which the Affordable Homes Programme 2011-15 has been agreed by the Homes and Communities Agency. It outlines the opportunities and challenges the Framework brings for affordable housing delivery in York and gives details of the Affordable Homes Programme 2011-15 for York. The report also outlines the impact of the Affordable Rent model on homes managed by housing associations in York and seeks a steer from the Cabinet Member on potential changes to the council’s affordable housing policy on private developments arising from the new Affordable Rent model.

RESOLVED: 

(i)           That the introduction of the national Affordable Homes funding framework be noted.

(ii)          That the impact of the Affordable Rent model on existing and new housing association homes in the city be noted.

(iii)        That the investment in new affordable housing in York by housing associations during 2011-15 be welcomed.

(iv)        That option 4 to make changes to the affordable housing policy be noted in particular:

1.   Existing S106 and lease agreements, stipulate no change to current policy for social rented homes to remain on re-let as social rented.

2.   New S106 and lease agreements, stipulate that Affordable Rent levels are capped at no more than 60% of market rents for one bedroom homes and 55% of market rents for two, three and four bedroom homes. 

Reason:  To give a clear and consistently applied policy steer so that housing associations, developers, the Homes and Communities Agency, council officers and other interested parties have clarity on the council’s policies regarding the  Affordable Rent  model and it’s application in York especially on S106 developments and on schemes developed on council owned land. 

The Cabinet Member considered a report that advised her of the framework under which the Affordable Homes Programme 2011-15 had been agreed by the Homes and Communities Agency.

Officers outlined the opportunities and challenges the Framework brings for affordable housing delivery in York and gave details of the Affordable Homes Programme 2011-15.

Officers discussed  the impact of the Affordable Rent model on homes managed by housing associations in York and the potential changes to the council’s affordable housing policy on private developments.

The Cabinet Member recommended option 4 and stated that properties in York must be affordable for citizens to rent.

RESOLVED: 

(i)           That the introduction of the national Affordable Homes funding framework be noted.

(ii)          That the impact of the Affordable Rent model on existing and new housing association homes in the city be noted.

(iii)        That the investment in new affordable housing in York by housing associations during 2011-15 be welcomed.

(iv)        That option 4 to make changes to the affordable housing policy be noted in particular:

§  Existing S106 and lease agreements, stipulate no change to current policy for social rented homes to remain on re-let as social rented.

§  New S106 and lease agreements, stipulate that Affordable Rent levels are capped at no more than 60% of market rents for one bedroom homes and 55% of market rents for two, three and four bedroom homes. 

Reason:  To give a clear and consistently applied policy steer so that housing associations, developers, the Homes and Communities Agency, council officers and other interested parties have clarity on the council’s policies regarding the  Affordable Rent  model and it’s application in York especially on S106 developments and on schemes developed on council owned land. 

The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) have published a consultation document on a revised regulatory framework for social housing in England. This report outlines the proposed changes to the framework and asks the Cabinet member to approve the proposed response to the consultation document.

RESOLVED: That option 1 be agreed:

To submit the letter at Annex 1, to ensure CYC’s consultation response is considered prior to the new social housing regulator’s approach being finalised.

Reason: To ensure CYC’s consultation response is considered prior to the new social housing regulator’s approach being finalised.

The Cabinet Member consider a report that outlined the proposed changes to the Tenant Services Authority’s (TSA) published consultation document on a revised regulatory framework for social housing in England. 

Officers gave an update and asked the Cabinet Member to approve the proposed response to the consultation document.

The Cabinet Member noted and thanked officers for the work they had done on this and for attending the Residents Federation.

RESOLVED: That option 1 be agreed:

To submit the letter at Annex 1, to ensure CYC’s consultation response is considered prior to the new social housing regulator’s approach being finalised.

Reason: To ensure CYC’s consultation response is considered prior to the new social housing regulator’s approach being finalised.