An opportunity to question Councillor Alan Strickland, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, on his portfolio.
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed Councillor Alan Strickland, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, to the meeting.
In view of the Panel’s terms of reference, Councillor Strickland provided an update on his responsibilities. The following points were then discussed:
- How Cranwood could be the HDV’s first development and an opportunity to deliver on the Council’s ambitions to create sustainable, balanced communities. The Cabinet Member informed the Panel that overall the council’s housing strategy committed to 40% of new homes being affordable. However, it was confirmed that the design masterplan for Cranwood included an enhanced level of affordable housing compared to emerging policy (50% by habitable room) of which at least 60% would be for low cost affordable rent.
- Issues concerning the level of consultation that had taken place between the Council and the Board of Homes for Haringey in relation to the HDV and its impact on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).
- The Panel was informed that senior Council officers had held discussions with Homes for Haringey’s Managing Director and Executive Leadership team, and had participated in a dedicated meeting with the Board. These had covered the potential impacts and opportunities arising from the HDV in the short term, medium and long term. Assuming the Council approved the establishment of the HDV, and agreed to proceed with development on sites managed by Homes for Haringey, it was noted that discussions would continue both within Homes for Haringey and between Homes for Haringey and the Council.
- It was noted the management of the Housing Revenue Account was the responsibility of the Council, and not Homes for Haringey. It was also acknowledged that income from commercial properties on Council estates went to the HRA and not to Homes for Haringey.
- The equalities impact of the HDV. The Panel was informed that recommendations to Cabinet in July 2017 – to establish the HDV, and to agree the first set of business plans – would be accompanied by full Equality Impact Assessments.
- The fact that the HDV would operate in line with the Council’s Housing Strategy and other housing policies. The Panel was informed that new mixed-use, mixed-tenure developments would be based on standards of quality, access and experiences that were blind to tenure. It was noted that individual proposals would be considered – both by the HDV Board and the Council’s planning function – as they came forward, and tested against these principles while being balanced with other factors such as efficiency of maintenance regimes and affordability of mandatory service charges which could make separate building cores for different tenures the most effective way to ensure affordability and good housing management.
In addition to the HDV, the Panel discussed the innovative work that was taking place in Brent to provide temporary accommodation. It was explained that Brent Council had put together a significant fund, made up of right-to-buy receipts and borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board. It was noted the fund was being used to purchase street properties for use as temporary accommodation and was planned to facilitate the purchase of 300-400 properties, many ex Council right-to-buy properties, so some purchases would also be on Council estates.
In view of the innovative work taking place in Brent, the Panel asked whether it would be possible to implement a similar scheme in Haringey. In response, Alan Benson, Head of Housing Strategy and Commissioning, explained that Brent had acquired properties through a wholly owned company. The Panel was informed Haringey did have a programme that was being run by Homes for Haringey. It was noted this would be scaled up, but not to the size of the Brent programme, following legal advice from a QC. However, the Panel was assured that other models were being pursued in order to deliver a viable local solution.
AGREED: That the update from the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning be noted.