Report of Executive Director (Environment and Place)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Environment and Place) presenting an overview of the Housing Pipeline work to date and sought approval for the next stage of the Pipeline, including site sales and appropriations, three housing development opportunities and an external funding opportunity.

Resolved:

1. That the progress made on the housing pipeline to date, as set out in the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the revised governance structure for the Housing Pipeline, as set out in the report, be noted.

3. That the following next steps for the Housing Pipeline, be approved:

(a) The sale of 291-297 Victoria Avenue site to secure full capital receipt, with the capital receipt to be ringfenced to help fund future Housing Pipeline development opportunities.

(b) That under S122(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 36 Satanita Road be appropriated from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), with existing HRA budgets to be utilised to undertake the necessary void works to bring the home into use as affordable council housing.

(c) That under S122(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 The former Cattery site on Prince Avenue be appropriated from the General Fund to the HRA.

(d) That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Environment and Place, in consultation with the Executive Director for Finance and Resources, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets, and Investment, and the  Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing, and the Local Plan, to progress the Futures development through the planning process to establish an indicative scheme and site density on the principle of residential use and to engage with the market and prospective development partners.

Recommended:

4. That the following next steps for the Housing Pipeline, be recommended to Council for approval:

(a) The development of c.30 council homes on the Cattery (affordable rent capped at Local Housing Allowance) be funded by the release of c.£12m (inclusive of appropriate contingency) of HRA funds. Of this, 40% (c.£4.8m) is to be funded from right-to-buy receipts, while 60% (c.£7.2m) is to be funded from HRA capital reserves.

(b) That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Environment and Place and the Executive Director of Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing, and the Local Plan, and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets, and Investments, to authorise the completion of the Grant Funding Agreement for the council’s Brownfield Land Release Fund bid, subject to successfully securing funding. Or, if the bid is unsuccessful, fund £0.467m of enabling works through 60% of HRA capital reserves (£0.28m) and 40% of Right-to-buy receipts (£0.187m).

(c) The use of existing funds or funds received from site sales for detailed feasibility works, cost planning, and design works for the Hamlet Court Road site.

Reasons for recommendation:

1. The South Essex 2022 Housing Needs Assessment details the increasing need for housing of all sizes and tenures throughout Southend. The work of the housing pipeline will help to alleviate some of this housing pressure through  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15