Minute No. 721 (Cabinet Book 2, Agenda Item No. 11 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cowdrey, Cox, Davidson and Woodley

The Committee considered Minute 721 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 21 February 2023, which had been called-in for scrutiny, together with a report of the Executive Director (Growth and Housing) presenting an update on the work of the Housing Pipeline to date and details of future housing development opportunities across the City.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery, Regeneration and Housing undertook to provide a written assurance to all members of the Committee that any proposals for the development of the Hamlet Court Road, the Cattery and Civic 2 sites arising from feasibility, cost planning and design work carried out as part of the Housing Pipeline programme, would be subject of a detailed report to be made to the Cabinet.

Resolved:

That the following decisions of the Cabinet be noted:

“1. That the progress made on the Housing Pipeline to date, be noted.

2. That the Council undertakes due diligence regarding the potential allocation of capital funds for Afghan and Ukrainian resettlement purposes from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) and that authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) and the Executive Director (Growth and Housing), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery, Regeneration and Housing, to reach agreement about any bid decisions and to pursue actions set out in the submitted report.

3. That the use of both Denton Avenue site and Bradford Bury garage site for the development of Passizhaus pilot projects utilising existing Section 106 funds and Right to Buy funds, be approved.

4. That the next steps for the Housing Pipeline set out below, be approved:

·     The development of a revolving investment fund to deliver the pipeline opportunities.  The investment fund would work alongside other financing sources to deliver housing pipeline projects.

·     Sale of the Thorpedene Campus site via auction to secure full, quick capital receipt and mitigate holding and demolition costs, with the capital receipt ringfenced to help fund future Housing Pipeline development opportunities.

·     Sale of the Shorefield Gardens site via auction to secure a full, quick capital receipt with the capital receipt to be ringfenced to help fund future Housing Pipeline development opportunities.

·     Use existing funds or funds received from site sales for detailed feasibility works, cost planning and design works for the Hamlet Court Road, the Cattery and Civic 2 sites.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Councillor I Gilbert

Report of Executive Director (Growth and Housing)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Growth and Housing) presenting an update on the work of the Housing Pipeline to date and details the future housing development opportunities across the city.

Resolved:

1. That the progress made on the Housing Pipeline to date, be noted.

2. That the Council undertakes due diligence regarding the potential allocation of capital funds for Afghan and Ukrainian resettlement purposes from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) and that authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) and the Executive Director (Growth and Housing), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery, Regeneration and Housing, to reach agreement about any bid decisions and to pursue actions set out in the submitted report.

3. That the use of both Denton Avenue site and Bradford Bury garage site for the development of Passizhaus pilot projects utilising existing Section 106 funds and Right to Buy funds, be approved.

4. That the next steps for the Housing Pipeline set out below, be approved:

·       The development of a revolving investment fund to deliver the pipeline opportunities.  The investment fund would work alongside other financing sources to deliver housing pipeline projects.

·       Sale of the Thorpedene Campus site via auction to secure full, quick capital receipt and mitigate holding and demolition costs, with the capital receipt ringfenced to help fund future Housing Pipeline development opportunities.

·       Sale of the Shorefield Gardens site via auction to secure a full, quick capital receipt with the capital receipt to be ringfenced to help fund future Housing Pipeline development opportunities.

·       Use existing funds or funds received from site sales for detailed feasibility works, cost planning and design works for the Hamlet Court Road, the Cattery and Civic 2 sites.

Reasons for decision:

1. The need for housing of all sizes and tenures across the city is increasing as detailed in the South Essex Housing Needs Assessment, published in June 2022. The delivery and acceleration of the delivery of housing are key ASELA priority areas and the pipeline opportunities will contribute to the wider regional delivery and assist with future funding opportunities. The work of the housing pipeline including the acquisition of homes to be used for council housing and the development of new housing (including affordable housing) will look to alleviate some of this housing and homelessness pressure. The development of new housing in the city will also look to assist the council financially with increased council tax income and additional rent roll to the council’s HRA.

2. The proposed development of Passivhaus pilots will be an opportunity for the Council to lead the delivery of sustainable housing in the city and contribute the ambitions of the council’s Green City Action Plan and pledge to the Climate Emergency and help with progress towards net zero by 2030 through the development of new sustainable housing which will use significantly less energy and encourage more environmentally sustainable and healthy lifestyles.

3. The Council proceeding with  ...  view the full decision text for item 721

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Growth and Housing) presenting an update on the work of the Housing Pipeline to date and details the future housing development opportunities across the city.

Resolved:

1. That the progress made on the Housing Pipeline to date, be noted.

2. That the Council undertakes due diligence regarding the potential allocation of capital funds for Afghan and Ukrainian resettlement purposes from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) and that authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) and the Executive Director (Growth and Housing), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery, Regeneration and Housing, to reach agreement about any bid decisions and to pursue actions set out in the submitted report.

3. That the use of both Denton Avenue site and Bradford Bury garage site for the development of Passizhaus pilot projects utilising existing Section 106 funds and Right to Buy funds, be approved.

4. That the next steps for the Housing Pipeline set out below, be approved:

·       The development of a revolving investment fund to deliver the pipeline opportunities.  The investment fund would work alongside other financing sources to deliver housing pipeline projects.

·       Sale of the Thorpedene Campus site via auction to secure full, quick capital receipt and mitigate holding and demolition costs, with the capital receipt ringfenced to help fund future Housing Pipeline development opportunities.

·       Sale of the Shorefield Gardens site via auction to secure a full, quick capital receipt with the capital receipt to be ringfenced to help fund future Housing Pipeline development opportunities.

·       Use existing funds or funds received from site sales for detailed feasibility works, cost planning and design works for the Hamlet Court Road, the Cattery and Civic 2 sites.

Reasons for decision:

1. The need for housing of all sizes and tenures across the city is increasing as detailed in the South Essex Housing Needs Assessment, published in June 2022. The delivery and acceleration of the delivery of housing are key ASELA priority areas and the pipeline opportunities will contribute to the wider regional delivery and assist with future funding opportunities. The work of the housing pipeline including the acquisition of homes to be used for council housing and the development of new housing (including affordable housing) will look to alleviate some of this housing and homelessness pressure. The development of new housing in the city will also look to assist the council financially with increased council tax income and additional rent roll to the council’s HRA.

2. The proposed development of Passivhaus pilots will be an opportunity for the Council to lead the delivery of sustainable housing in the city and contribute the ambitions of the council’s Green City Action Plan and pledge to the Climate Emergency and help with progress towards net zero by 2030 through the development of new sustainable housing which will use significantly less energy and encourage more environmentally sustainable and healthy lifestyles.

3. The Council proceeding with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 721