Agenda item

The report by the Director of Property and Housing sets out to summarise the content of the Housing White Paper and recognise its potential impact on the Council's Housing function, and Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Housing:

(1)       notes the content of the report with regard to the proposals within the Housing White Paper;

(2)    considers making a formal response to the Housing White Paper, and any related consultations that may be subsequently released.

The Cabinet Member for Housing:

(1)       noted the content of the report with regard to the proposals within the Housing White Paper;

(2)    will make a formal response to the Housing White Paper, and any related consultations that may be subsequently released.*

(*Councillor Wemyss invited the Opposition Spokespersons and the Chair of Housing & Social Care Scrutiny Panel to submit their views to him for consideration in making his formal response by 31 March 2017)

Councillor Darren Sanders attended the meeting as the Chair of the Housing & Social Care Scrutiny Panel to present some observations, as within their current review of 'Housing Need' the White Paper had been looked at. These points included:

·        Concern on the retention of 1% reduction in social rents and the impact on the Housing Revenue Account budget, and wanted clarity on dates to assess the impact

·        On the Right to Buy pilot for Housing Associations it would be interesting to see what contribution is expected from local authorities

·        5-10% selling off of higher value homes caused concern although the panel welcomed Jo Bennett's proposed Arms-Length company to build more council housing

·        The sections relating to private sector landlords were welcomed

·        More clarity was needed around the planning numbers for housing

·        Councillor Sanders hoped that the formal response could be shared and he later commented on the planning application and appeal system, rise of HMOs and the use of viability statements to reduce social housing provision.

Councillor Tom Wood, Opposition Spokesperson, felt that there would be areas of consensus on the subjects for comment, and he asked that the following issues be covered:

·        Changing the nature of tenancy agreements based on circumstances

·        Requesting more power over requiring viability assessments for new developments to provide for affordable housing

·        Retaining 100% of Right To Buy sale receipts

·        There should not be a cap on borrowing to invest in housing

Councillor Wemyss, as the Cabinet Member for Housing, reported that the Leader (acting with responsibility for Planning, Regeneration & Economic Development) had also received an information report on the planning aspects of the White Paper for Housing, as there was an overlap.  He therefore felt it would be useful to invite the Housing Minister to visit Portsmouth to see the constraints of this land-locked island city, where there are large areas of protected open space (Portsdown Hill and Farlington Marshes) and other areas which had remedial problems (which meant higher construction costs). The low playing pitch provision for the population also meant that these open spaces should be retained for public use.  He was also concerned regarding how the Right to Buy for Housing Association tenants would be funded in the future, and this could contradict the intentions of the Homelessness Reduction Bill.

Councillor Wemyss felt that the perceived demand was for high density but in fact there is a need for 3 and 4 bedroom houses of lower density.  He queried the impact of the planned 6000 homes in the neighbouring Welborne development outside Fareham and whether building on land owned by PCC in Havant (such as Leigh Park) could contribute towards Portsmouth's housing quota?  The White Paper hinted that if a local authority fails to meet its targets it could be penalised or have construction imposed upon it. Work with other local authorities was encouraged.

Other issues to be addressed in the response letter would include income caps, affordability of property, the importance of social housing provision to Portsmouth and aspects of the planning application system (which would be covered by the PRED portfolio). 

Councillor Wemyss would write a formal response, in conjunction officers, and he invited the Opposition Spokespersons and the Chair of Housing & Social Care Scrutiny Panel to submit their views to him for consideration in making his formal response by 31 March 2017. Councillor Wemyss would then invite the Housing Minister to visit Portsmouth.

DECISIONS - The Cabinet Member for Housing:

(1)       noted the content of the report with regard to the proposals within the Housing White Paper;

(2)    would make a formal response to the Housing White Paper, and any related consultations that may be subsequently released.