The Committee to hear from Lord Kerslake.
Minutes:
Lord Kerslake attended the meeting to discuss the government’s proposals on right to buy for housing association tenants. He set out his critique of the scheme, arguing that it is flawed in its current form.
Lord Kerslake suggested some sensible exemptions that should be considered in the scheme: rural properties, properties that had received no government money pre-1975, specialist housing, new build/revelopment sites (this could be accompanied by a scheme of housing association new building designed for sale). Councils might want to draw up their own proposed list of amendments. He also sugggested that the scheme could be varied to provide a smaller cash discount accompanied by an interest free equity loan, reducing the requirement to draw on receipts from local authorities. He also felt that there should be a specific agreement that London should not lose out under this scheme.
Follow up actions:
Cllr Flynn attending meeting to gather views from local housing associations
Committee to aim for final report to be produced by December