Issue - meetings

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

Mr Noah Tucker was invited to make his representations to the Cabinet on the submitted deputation which was calling for Council Homes at Council Rents. He highlighted the following in his presentation.

-       Abrogation by the majority party of a key part in its manifesto, which was to build 3000 high quality Council homes at Council rents. He emphasised that the manifesto did not mention London Affordable Rent but specifically said Council rents.

-       There had not been wider discussion or consultation with the community or information provided on how the position on London Affordable Rents had been reached and only confirmation provided at a Housing Scrutiny meeting that there would be 870 homes provided on London Affordable Rents and not on Council rents.

-       Significant difference in the rate between London Affordable Rents and Council rent of between £30 and £35 pounds a week which was highlighted for one particular development.

In the deputation’s view, the increased funding provided from London Affordable Rent formula would provide £600k income to the Housing Revenue Account and this needed to be considered in the context of its impact on poorer families who were already finding the cost-of-living crisis hard to bear. In the deputation’s view, the Council could afford to not pass on this increased rent cost given the GLA overall grant provision of £247 million.

The deputation concluded by asking the Cabinet to reconsider this change and to set out the alternatives that had been considered before proposing this change.

There were no questions from the Cabinet to the deputation party and Cllr Gordon, Cabinet Member for Housebuilding, Placemaking, and Development responded to the deputation, expressing that the administration was committed to delivering 3000 Council homes by 2031 and was working everyday to make this commitment real. She continued to outline the following:

-       Recent Planning Sub Committee agreement of the Planning application for the Broadwater Farm scheme and to the Woodridings scheme, on the 5th of December, which would mean 327 new Council homes would be built. This further demonstrated the Council’s commitment to reach 3000 homes target.

-       Considering the national financial situation and impact on the Housing Revenue Account, in particular the huge increase in construction costs  and negative impact the September Mini Budget had had on interest charges, contributing in a viability issue for the housing delivery programme.

-       Apart from putting the housing delivery programme on hold which would not be in keeping with the commitment on increasing housing, there was a need to have some schemes with London Affordable Rent to enable viability and delivery of 3000 Council homes by 2031.

-       Homes at London Affordable Rents were Council homes and would be provided to people on the Council’s housing register. The homes were funded by the Mayor of London's Building Council homes for Londoners.

-       There were only 870 homes in London Affordable rents and this could be the difference between delivery or non -delivery of homes.

The Cabinet Member continued to explain  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7