Issue - meetings

The Cabinet endorsed the consultation response set out in Appendix A to the report from the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development and Housing Director, subject to officers being given delegated powers to make minor amendments, to include  consideration for longer term tenancies than the three years proposed within the consultation paper.

This decision was first published on Friday 21 April and so the deadline for call-in Friday 28 April at 5pm. If not called-in this decision can be implemented on Tuesday 2 May (Monday 1 May being a bank holiday).

Appendix B (Planning and Affordable Housing for Build to Rent - A Consultation Paper) is available on the Council’s website by visiting www.scambs.gov.uk > The Council > Councillors, minutes and agendas.

The Cabinet endorsed the consultation response set out in Appendix A to the report from the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development and Housing Director, subject to officers being given delegated powers to make minor amendments, to include  consideration for longer term tenancies than the three years proposed within the consultation paper.

The Cabinet considered a report seeking its endorsement of a proposed response to the Government’s consultation paper relating to Planning and Affordable Housing for Build to Rent.

In response to a question from Councillor Mark Howell, the Head of Housing Strategy said that determination of rent levels would form part of the negotiations leading to Legal Agreements under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. She added that flexibility was important in the context of ensuring viability throughout what would be a long-term investment. This point would be added to the Council’s response.

Councillor Mark Howell queried the tenancy length referred to in Question 13 of the consultation paper. There was some discussion about increasing the term to one of 15-years and, while funding and regulation were issues, officers agreed to consider how the response to Question 13 could be strengthened.

Cabinet appreciated officers’ work in putting together a response to the consultation paper.

Cabinet endorsed the consultation response set out in Appendix A to the report from the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development and Housing Director, subject to officers being given delegated powers to make minor amendments, to include consideration for longer term tenancies than the three years proposed within the consultation paper.