Agenda item

This report sets out proposals to deliver the second phase of new council homes and seeks approval to pursue the development of a number of sites within the Housing Revenue Account and one within the General Fund.

Resolved: That Cabinet agree to:

(i) Approve expenditure of up to £25,000 from the HRA Investment Fund for developing proposed schemes and budgets for Phase 2 of the Council House Building Programme with the aim of bringing forward up to 46 new council homes.

(ii) Note that subject to the proposed scheme being considered the best strategic use for the site and being financially viable and value for money, that permission will be sought to appropriate the Heworth Lighthouse site into the Housing Revenue Account.

(iii) Agree the inclusion of an element of market housing where appropriate on any site where 20 or more new council homes are being created.

(iv) Note that an extension of the New Build Project Manager post by 12 months will be sought to enable the project management of the construction sites to be funded from the total scheme cost budget for Phase 2.

(v) Note the longer term strategic ambitions of delivering a greater number of new affordable homes across the city with consideration given to alternative vehicles for delivery and the requirements being considered as part of the ongoing strategic review of council and existing HRA assets.

Reason: (i) To allow the council to add a significant number of homes to its existing asset base and help to alleviate the acute housing need in the city.

(ii) To allow this site to be developed for new council housing whilst generating the appropriate return for the General Fund.

(iii) To ensure a mix of tenures to create a mixed and sustainable community and to provide cross subsidy to help fund the delivery of council homes.

(iv) To allow the successful delivery of the project without impacting on the wider Housing Development Team work plan by ensuring the appropriate level of resources.

(v) To help meet more of the housing need in the city and enabling the delivery of homes in a more effective way.

Consideration was given to a report which set out proposals for the delivery of the second phase of new Council homes and the development of a number of sites within the Housing Revenue Account and one with the General Fund.

It was proposed to develop a further 30 Council homes between the following sites:

· Heworth Lighthouse

· Maple Avenue

· Ordnance Lane

· Viking Road/Crombie House

It was noted that Ward Members would be kept informed of progress, that a procurement strategy would be developed and that proposed costs for the delivery of the new homes would be set out in a report to a future Cabinet meeting.

Consideration was then given to the following options:

Option 1- To approve the working up of Phase 2 of the Council House Building Programme utilising a budget of £25,000 from the HRA Investment Fund with the aim of bringing forward up to 46 new council homes on the sites identified

Option 2 – To not undertake any preparatory work to develop a Phase 2 of the Council House Building Programme until longer term considerations of delivery models has been undertaken.

The Cabinet Member highlighted the need for new Council housing built to a Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 standard for future generations.

Members noted the concerns of Bishopthorpe residents, in relation to the Maple Grove development, and confirmed that further discussions would take place regarding the needs of residents within the proposed the scheme.