Issue - meetings

To agree a range of priorities and the outline delivery mechanisms, as outlined in the report for the development of new homes using the Affordable Housing Fund.

This item had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent as due to London-wide shortage of affordable housing, the council’s housing waiting list  was growing on a monthly basis. This general shortage, as well as placing extra financial pressures on the council through a duty to house individuals in need in temporary accommodation, has left many individuals in Southwark in need of decent stable housing. The council has set an indicative development programme for delivery of phase 1 of directly funded housing as referenced at paragraph 43 of the report to take steps to address this housing need with the first stage of delivery by November 2013. Delivery by 2013 will require work to begin on gateway reports for Willow Walk, Nunhead Green and the East Dulwich Estate before the end of October 2012. Failure to begin to deliver phase 1 by November 2013 will by implication lead to a continued higher financial burden on the council and continued higher level of local housing need.

RESOLVED:

Decisions by the Cabinet

1.  That a range of priorities and the outline delivery mechanisms, as outlined in paragraphs 23-25 of the report, for the development of new homes using the affordable housing fund be agreed.

2.  That the schemes listed at paragraph 41 of the report be worked up in accordance with the individually identified recommendations as phase 1 of an overall programme for direct delivery of new council housing on council owned sites.

3.  That proposals for an extra care facility at Cator Street as part of phase 1 be worked up, to assist with meeting the objectives of the Housing Strategy (2009-2016), Older People’s Delivery Plan and the Council’s Future Vision for Social Care to deliver a further 150 units of extra care housing and increase housing choices for adults living with a disability.

4.  That it be agreed that formula rents are charged for new social rent homes.

5.  That the conclusions drawn from the Grant Thornton report on financing new homes delivery and the analysis of costs by Davis Langdon that inform the conclusions be noted.

6.  That officers be instructed to establish a financial and governance framework to generate and manage resources to deliver the programme.

Decision by the Leader of the Council

7.  That approval for the procurement approaches for the Sumner Road scheme in Phase 1B be delegated to the deputy leader and cabinet member for housing management.