Agenda item

To consider the joint report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Environment and Housing providing an update on the delivery of affordable housing, particularly in the context of the Homes and Communities Agency’s Affordable Homes Programme (AHP). In addition, the report presents an overview of how the Council has responded to the 2015-2018 Affordable Homes Programme from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and how the Council aims to maximise development of affordable housing units throughout the programme. Furthermore, the report seeks approval to dispose of the sites listed in appendices 1 and 2 to Registered Providers for affordable housing and to confirm the identification of the sites listed at Appendix 3 for the development of affordable housing, either wholly or in-part. 

Further to Minute No. 179, 14^th February 2014, the Director of City Development and the Director of Environment and Housing submitted a joint report providing an update on the delivery of affordable housing, particularly in the context of the Homes and Communities Agency’s Affordable Homes Programme (AHP). In addition, the report presented an overview of how the Council had responded to the 2015-2018 Affordable Homes Programme from the Homes and Communities (HCA) and how the Council aimed to maximise development of affordable housing units throughout the programme. Furthermore, the report sought approval to dispose of the sites listed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the submitted report to Registered Providers (RPs) for affordable housing and to confirm the identification of the sites listed at Appendix 3 for the development of affordable housing, either wholly or in-part.

Members welcomed the proposals detailed within the submitted report and the proactive approach being taken towards making sites available for investment and development. In addition, the following key points were raised during the consideration of this item:

·  The importance of a mixed economy of housing provision in communities across the city;

·  Emphasis was placed upon the need for the proposed provision of affordable housing to be delivered within a 5 year period as part of the Council’s 5 year land supply;

·  The quality standards required for any new housing provision in Leeds.

In conclusion, and responding to enquiries made during the discussion, it was agreed that reports be submitted to future Board meetings with regard to the quality standard required for new housing provision in Leeds and also in respect of the potential use of vacant sites within the EASEL area.  

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report be noted.

(b)  That the sites as  at detailed at Appendix 1 and 2 to the submitted report be declared as surplus to the Council’s requirements.

(c)  That the Director of City Development be delegated the necessary authority to dispose of those sites as listed at Appendix 1 to the submitted report on a less that best basis, subject to justification for such a transfer being evidenced by an RP via a Financial Viability Assessment of the proposed scheme being carried out by a third party.

(d)  That the Director of City Development be delegated the necessary  authority to dispose of those sites as listed at Appendix 2 to the submitted report at a less than best consideration calculated at £1,000 per plot.

(e)  That the identification of those sites listed at Appendix 3 to the submitted report for medium term development for either council housing, disposal to RPs or in conjunction with a developer, be approved.

(f)  That the sites, as identified in Appendices 2 and 3 to the submitted report which are additional to those included within the Housing Investment Land Strategy, be approved.

(g)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to identify further sites to support the delivery of affordable housing.

(h)  That in principle approval be given to the proposal for the Council to acquire privately owned land for the development of affordable housing.

(i)  That the following be noted:-

·  The stages required to implement the resolutions above, as outlined within paragraphs 3.31 and 3.32 of the submitted report.

·  The proposed timescales for implementation of such matters, as outlined within paragraph 3.33 of the submitted report.

·  That the Chief Officer Asset Management and Regeneration will be responsible for the implementation of such resolutions.

(j)  That reports be submitted to future Board meetings with regard to the quality standard required for new housing provision in Leeds and also in respect of the potential use of vacant sites within the EASEL area.

(During the consideration of this item, Councillor A Carter brought the Board’s attention to his position as a Director of a Housing Association)