Issue - items at meetings - Delivering Replacement Homes

Cabinet Member for Housing recommendations - To receive and consider the attached report, together with the recommendations (to follow) of the Cabinet Member for Housing held on 16 March 2015 in respect of the above matter.

Minute 10 - Delivery of Replacement Housing Programme Phase 2

This was opposed to allow for a short discussion.

It was

Proposed by Councillor Steve Wemyss

Seconded by Councillor Donna Jones

That the recommendations contained in minute 10 - Delivery of Replacement Housing Programme Phase 2 be adopted. Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

RESOLVED that the City Council approved the following:

1) the following Capital Expenditure amounting to £22.903m:

I. A development of 67 units (a mixture of flats and houses) on a disused allotment site in Havant at a total cost of £8.119m

II. A development of 50 units (a mixture of houses and flats) at Kingsclere Avenue at a total cost of £6.059m.

III. A development of 40 units (a mixture of flats and houses) at Blendworth Crescent as a total cost of £4.847m.

IV. A development of 8 houses at Holybourne Road at a total cost of £969.400.

V. A development of 24 flats to be built on the existing Buckland Family centre site at a total cost of £2.908m.

2) to fund the £22.903m of Capital Expenditure, additional borrowing of up to £15.12m over the next 2 years, alongside the funding already approved within the existing capital programme.

3) that subject to the requirements of recommendation 4, authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Property Services in consultation with the Head of Finance & S151 Officer to amend the composition and spending profile of the proposed schemes in order to meet planning and design requirements.

4) that a financial appraisal approved by the Head of Finance & S151 Officer must be completed prior to the commencement of any scheme, that confirms that the proposed scheme remains the most viable option and provides an overall benefit to the 30 year HRA Business Plan

The report by the Head of Housing & Property Services seeks permission and approval for a programme of 189 replacement Council homes at an overall cost of £22.903m. All new build homes will require planning applications. The proposed developments in Havant will be built to be sustainable homes code 3 standard, whilst the development within Portsmouth will meet code 5 of the sustainable homes standards.

RECOMMENDED

That the Cabinet Member for Housing request that City Council approve the following:

(1) the following Capital Expenditure amounting to £22.903m:

I. A development of 67 units (a mixture of flats and houses) on a disused allotment site in Havant at a total cost of £8.119m

II. A development of 50 units (a mixture of houses and flats) at Kingsclere Avenue at a total cost of £6.059m.

III. A development of 40 units (a mixture of flats and houses) at Blendworth Crescent as a total cost of £4.847m.

IV. A development of 8 houses at Holybourne Road at a total cost of £969.400.

V. A development of 24 flats to be built on the existing Buckland Family centre site at a total cost of £2.908m

(2) to fund the £22.903m of Capital Expenditure, additional borrowing of up to £15.12m over the next 2 years, alongside the funding already approved within the existing capital programme.

(3) that subject to the requirements of recommendation 4, authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Property Services in consultation with the Head of Finance & S151 Officer to amend the composition and spending profile of the proposed schemes in order to meet planning and design requirements.

(4) that a financial appraisal approved by the Head of Finance & S151 Officer must be completed prior to the commencement of any scheme, that confirms that the proposed scheme remains the most viable option and provides an overall benefit to the 30 year HRA Business Plan

RECOMMENDED that City Council approve the following:

1) the following Capital Expenditure amounting to £22.903m:

I. A development of 67 units (a mixture of flats and houses) on a disused allotment site in Havant at a total cost of £8.119m

II. A development of 50 units (a mixture of houses and flats) at Kingsclere Avenue at a total cost of £6.059m.

III. A development of 40 units (a mixture of flats and houses) at Blendworth Crescent as a total cost of £4.847m.

IV. A development of 8 houses at Holybourne Road at a total cost of £969.400.

V. A development of 24 flats to be built on the existing Buckland Family centre site at a total cost of £2.908m

2) to fund the £22.903m of Capital Expenditure, additional borrowing of up to £15.12m over the next 2 years, alongside the funding already approved within the existing capital programme.

3) that subject to the requirements of recommendation 4, authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Property Services in consultation with the Head of Finance & S151 Officer to amend the composition and spending profile of the proposed schemes in order to meet planning and design requirements.

4) that a financial appraisal approved by the Head of Finance & S151 Officer must be completed prior to the commencement of any scheme, that confirms that the proposed scheme remains the most viable option and provides an overall benefit to the 30 year HRA Business Plan.

Owen Buckwell as Head of Housing & Property Services presented this report, which sought use of additional capital receipts (through the Right to Buy Scheme) and to seek additional borrowing limits for these new homes in Portsmouth and Havant which would be a mix of houses and flats available at affordable rents.

Councillor Potter asked questions regarding affordable rent levels and the parking provision for the new homes; these would have to meet the planning requirements of each local authority area.

Maria Cole and Adrian Blackwood, on behalf of the Residents' Consortium, both welcomed the provision of new homes, although Maria commented that in Somerstown residents were still expecting houses at the Brook Club. It was confirmed that this would be redeveloped in a future phase.

Councillor Wemyss welcomed this report and the provision of affordable housing. He hoped that more houses could be built in the city, as in Leigh Park, to provide for families. He would therefore support the recommendations going forward to Council on 17 March for approval.