Cabinet:

a)    Approved the Greater Cambridge First Homes Interim Position Statement.

b)    Delegated authority be given to the Lead Member for Housing to approve any subsequent minor amendments and editing changes that do not materially affect the content of the Interim Position Statement.

This decision was first published on Tuesday 22 March and so the deadline for call-in is Tuesday 29 March at 5 pm.

Cabinet:

a)    Approved the Greater Cambridge First Homes Interim Position Statement.

b)    Delegated authority be given to the Lead Member for Housing to approve any subsequent minor amendments and editing changes that do not materially affect the content of the Interim Position Statement.

Cabinet received the Council’s Interim Position Statement for First Homes. Councillor John Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Housing, introduced the report, and the intent of getting residents onto the property ladder.

Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Lead Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Delivery, noted the importance of providing affordable homes with South Cambridgeshire.

After a short discussion, Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Council, closed the discussion, and Cabinet:

a)    Approved the Greater Cambridge First Homes Interim Position Statement.

b)    Delegated authority be given to the Lead Member for Housing to approve any subsequent minor amendments and editing changes that do not materially affect the content of the Interim Position Statement.

The Scrutiny and Overview Committee considered a report on the Greater Cambridge First Homes Interim Position Statement.

Councillor Peter Fane drew comfort from the officer report and emphasised his view that First Homes should not be allowed to have an adverse impact on the Council’s affordable housing policy. He urged the Authority to concentrate on rural exception sites rather than First Homes exception sites. Councillor John Batchelor (Lead Cabinet Member for Housing) said that the crucial point about First Homes was that any discount was dependent on developers themselves coming up with funding. The Housing officer assured Councillor Fane that she shared his concern about developer-led First Homes exception sites and reiterated her focus on rural exception sites.

Councillor Dr. Richard Williams called for a more objective approach given that there was insufficient detail yet from central Government as to how First Homes would work in practice. Councillor Heather Williams agreed that the Authority must do whatever was in the best interests of residents.

Councillor Graham Cone said that it was important to consider key workers as a whole rather than to distinguish between different categories.

Officers and the Lead Cabinet Member for Housing acknowledged comments from the Scrutiny and Overview Committee which otherwise supported the recommendations contained in the report to the Cabinet meeting on 22 March 2022.