Issue - meetings

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Landlord Services to submit a report introducing the Affordable Housing Development Plan.

Cabinet:

(1)  APPROVED the Affordable Housing Development Plan 2022-26, which would confirm the Council’s approach for the delivery of additional homes to add to its housing stock.

Michelle Howard, Director for Housing and Communities introduced the report, the purpose of which was to introduce the Affordable Housing Development Plan (2022 – 2026).

Mrs Howard advised that the Plan 2022 was a mechanism through which the HRA Business Plan would be delivered.  There was a shortage of affordable homes in Melton and to help address this need, this plan set out the criteria for how new council homes would be delivered in the borough.  The Plan details considerations, such as sustainability and energy efficiency, high standards of design and properties that are fit for the future, tenant safety, security and the environments in which people live, accessibility and funding options, the importance of business cases for each proposal, and options to build, convert or acquire homes or land in the future.

Mrs Howard highlighted that the plan provided an important framework for the Council to deliver on its commitments to provide high quality homes and landlord services and to do so in a planned and managed way, which took account of circumstances, in line with the resources available.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Landlord Services, Councillor Ronan Browne thanked Scrutiny Committee for its feedback on both the HR Business Plan and the Affordable Housing Development Plan.  He thanked Mrs Howard and her team, noting that officers had ensured that Members had been well engaged.  This had assisted gaining cross part support.

Councillor Brown highlighted the following key areas:

·         The Council would use some developer funding to help deliver affordable social rented housing

·         The Council would consider purchasing new energy efficient homes, which would meet the green agenda in line with its climate emergency position

·         The work would be focussed in rural villages, as well as the town.

Cabinet:

(1)  APPROVED the Affordable Housing Development Plan 2022-26, which would confirm the Council’s approach for the delivery of additional homes to add to its housing stock.

Reason for Recommendations:

The Affordable Housing Development Plan (AHDP) will ensure that new homes are delivered in a planned way.

This will enable high standards of design, construction, and procurement to achieve the best value for the Council.