Agenda and minutes

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The Chair drew attendees’ attention to the notice as shown at item one of the agenda.

None.

It being a special meeting under Part 4, Section B, Paragraph 17 of the Council’s Constitution, no other business shall be considered at the meeting.

It being a special meeting under Part 4, Section B, Paragraph 17 of the Council’s Constitution, no other business was considered at the meeting.

None.

None.

a.         Report of the Monitoring Officer TO FOLLOW

b.         Report of the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development TO FOLLOW

c.         Appendices:

-       Copy of call-in

-       Excerpt from the draft minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 15 November 2016

-       15 November 2016 Cabinet Report – Sale of Land at Kerswell Close, N15 5HT

Following an outline of the process for the Call In meeting, and its possible outcomes, the Chair invited Councillor Tucker to present his arguments for why he had requested the Cabinet decision on the sale of land at Kerswell Close be called in, and the alternative action he requested.

Cllr Tucker set out his reasons for the Call In, and where he disagreed with the officer’s report and Monitoring Officer’s report. Upon questioning from Members, he explained while he had concerns that may be considered by the Planning Committee, that stage was often too late for substantive changes to be made – hence his call-in. He was concerned at the disposal of the Council’s land in a way that did not support the Council’s priorities, in particular the provision of affordable housing.

Responding to the points raised in the Call In, the Cabinet Members for Corporate Resources, Councillor Demirci, and for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, Councillor Strickland, set out that this was a property decision, rather than a planning decision. That said, the sale was contingent on planning approval, and planning-related matters in the Call In would be addressed as part of the lengthy planning process. The quasi-judicial nature of that process meant its integrity should not be questioned. The proposal from Pocket Homes for the use of the land met the Council’s commitment to supporting a range of housing types, in particular intermediate homes being for sale in the east of the borough.

The Cabinet Members were clear that the eligibility criteria operated by Pocket Homes were consistent with national definitions of intermediate housing, certainly in comparison with flats being provided for the open market. Additionally, it was noted that residents in existing Pocket Home developments were at wage levels far below the Mayor of London’s upper limit of income for intermediate housing eligibility, partly due to Pocket Homes’ prioritisation of eligible individuals with lower income levels. Prospective purchasers could be eligible for support from the Government’s Help to Buy schemes, but that was not guaranteed and had therefore not been factored into considerations of affordability.

Responding to questions, the Cabinet Members and officers noted that Pocket Homes had not brought forward a proposal for developing the land being leased to them under this decision, and so there was no specific detail available on the construction method, materials to be used or the sizes or prices of properties. The valuation by the district valuer had used some assumptions about the leasors’ proposals in confirming the value of the land being leased. The planning process involved challenge to some proposals, and issues of air quality raised by Councillor Tucker, which were not unique to this site, would be considered in the planning process, as would the potential need to maintain or preserve trees on the site.

The Committee noted that there was no overall policy for the disposal of infill land, and that potential developers and housing associations were engaged with on specific sites according to each site’s potential  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

Item 8 is likely to be the subject of a motion to exclude the press and public from the meeting as it contains exempt information as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act 1972; Para 3 – information relating to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

There were no matters to discuss in the exempt section of the report, and the meeting concluded before reaching this item.

Not discussed.