An opportunity to question Councillor Alan Strickland, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, on his portfolio.
Minutes:
The Panel received an update on the work of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, Councillor Alan Strickland.
During discussion concerns were raised about the use of right-to-buy receipts. Due to restrictions, placed upon the use of these receipts, the Panel was informed that the Council was handing a large amount of right-to-buy money back to Government. In response to questions, the Panel was informed of a number of schemes that had recently used right-to-buy receipts, including the Sanctuary Scheme.
The policies used by other local authorities to buy back former council houses were considered. In response to questions, the Panel was informed that these placed covenants on right-to-but sales to ensure local authorities had the option to buy them back if they came up for sale and before going onto the open market. The Panel was informed that Haringey had a similar policy in place. It was noted that this policy gave the Council first refusal to purchase homes previously sold under right-to-buy that came to market within 10 years of the original sale.
Councillor Strickland informed the Panel that he had recently met the Housing Minister and had raised issues concerning restrictions on spending right-to-buy receipts. In addition, ahead of the Spring Budget, the Panel was informed that Cllr Strickland had signed an open letter to the Housing Minister concerning London’s housing crisis. The Panel was asked to note that this letter, published on 7 March 2017, included the following references to right-to-buy receipts:
- The letter asked the government to relax restrictions on the use of right-to-buy receipts, including extending the period within which they could be spent and increasing the proportion of the cost of a new home they could fund.
- The belief that there should be flexibility to spend funds across borough boundaries in order to facilitate enhanced collaboration to deliver greater quantities of affordable housing across London.
Various issues were considered in relation to the use of right-to-buy receipts by housing associations. The Panel also agreed that Cabinet should explore all options for using Haringey’s right-to-buy receipts in conjunction with the Haringey Development Vehicle.
Following the publication of the Government’s Housing White Paper (February, 2017), the Panel raised concerns that more homes could be eligible for sale under right-to-buy. In response to questions about arm’s-length companies, the Panel was informed that there was no legislation planned that would force a council joint venture, such as the Haringey Development Vehicle, into offering right-to-buy.
During the discussion that followed a wide range of topics were considered, including:
- Consultation in relation to sites included within Category 1 areas of the Haringey Development Vehicle.
- The process for approving business plans for the Haringey Development Vehicle, including the transfer of land to the vehicle and the process for re-housing tenants.
- The work of Corporate Committee in relation to tenancy fraud, right-to-buy fraud and benefit fraud.
- Various issues in relation to temporary and emergency accommodation.
The Panel considered the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in relation to Northumberland Park School. Various issues were then discussed in relation to school and academy funding, Haringey’s capital strategy, and options relating to the design and location of the school in relation to the master plan for Northumberland Park.
In response to questions about the Council entering into a 99 year lease with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club for the provision of outside broadcasting facilities during event periods on areas of the Northumberland Park School, the Panel was informed:
- That the ability to provide exclusive, secure space for outside broadcast facilities on event days was a fundamental requirement for a football club to be able to compete in major sports competitions such as the Premier League, Champions League and to host NFL games.
- That the agreement was based on the current location of the school.
- That there was no requirement to relocate the school in order to accommodate the outside broadcasting facilities.
- That further information on the lease was set out in the agenda for the Cabinet Member signing of 7 November 2016.
In response to concerns raised about the condition of properties on the Turner Avenue Estate, the Panel was informed that the site was included within Category 2 of the Haringey Development Vehicle. In addition, officers advised that Homes for Haringey had set aside a budget for 2017/18 which included money for external repair work.
AGREED: That the update from the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning be noted.