Issue - meetings

To consider and comment on the review of the initial lettings on the Bearscroft Farm development site.

(Executive Councillor: Councillor R Fuller).

Cabinet noted the outcome of the review of the initial lettings on the Bearscroft Farm development site.

Further to Minute No. 17/80 and with the assistance of a report by the Housing Needs and Resourcing Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet received an update on the initial letting of 51 affordable rented properties on the Bearscroft Farm development site.

It was reported that whilst it was still too early to determine the success of this lettings plan, anecdotal feedback from Cross Keys Homes has been positive and there were signs that the Bearscroft development had made a positive start to delivering a mixed and balanced community.

Having noted that the Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning and Economic Development had undertaken to provide a more comprehensive report to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Customers and Partnerships) at a later date when further information was available, it was

RESOLVED

that the review of the initial lettings on the Bearscroft Farm development site be noted.

Members are to receive the Bearscroft Farm Local Lettings Plan Review.

With the aid of a report by the Housing Needs and Resources Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Bearscroft Farm Local Lettings Plan was considered by the Panel. The Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning and Economic Development introduced the report and explained the reason for it.

It was explained that as it is too early to determine the success of the lettings plan, a more detailed report will be presented once the next phase is progressed. The Council’s partner on site, Cross Keys Homes, have stated that there has been a negligible rate of incidents in the area of Anti-Social Behaviour, rent arrears and the requirement for a visit from the Neighbourhood Manager.

The report on Bearscroft Farm Local Lettings Plan was welcomed by the Panel. Although the point was raised that Bearscroft Farm is now known as Romans Edge. The Member raising the point stated that this is important for the residents of Godmanchester as there have previously been tensions over Bearscroft Farm and that the name Romans Edge provides a clean break. In response, Members were informed that changing the name of the policy will be reviewed.

Following a query on whether the plan has provision to assist with the settlement of people with disabilities, the Panel was informed that the plan doesn’t as it focuses purely on Bearscroft Farm and that such a provision would have to be covered by the wider letting policy.

A Member asked if the plan apportions a number of homes to residents from Godmanchester, however Members were informed that the plan contains no locality criteria and that rural exception sites are used to meet requirements of a particular locality. It was noted that the use of Rural Exception sites are being reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth).

The Panel was informed that as the policy has worked well; the Council have asked Cross Keys if they would like to adopt the policy on future stages of this development, due over the next 18 months.

The Panel welcomes the report and acknowledges that it relates to the early stages of the Bearscroft Farm (Romans Edge) development. Members welcome the approach to provide a mixture of housing and the negligible incidents of anti-social behaviour that have been reported. The Panel recommends that the lessons learnt and the best practice followed are shared as appropriately within the Council and its partners.