Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Housing Needs and Resource Manager on the Local Lettings Plans for Alconbury Weald and future plans.

Executive Councillor: R Fuller.

The Cabinet has delegated authority to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing and Economic Development, to adopt future Local Lettings Plans.

With the aid of a report by the Housing Needs and Resources Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet gave consideration to a proposal to adopt a future Local Lettings Plan (LLP) which would be an appendix to the Lettings Policy (Minute No 20/67 refers).

Having been informed of the reasons why a Local Lettings Policy would be adopted and in noting that the Alconbury Weald development was likely to be the next site where a LLP would be required, together with the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Customers and Partnerships), it was

RESOLVED

that delegated authority be given to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing and Economic Development, to adopt future Local Lettings Plans.

A report on the Local Lettings Plans for Alconbury Weald and future plans will be presented to the Panel.

Consideration was given to a report on the Local Lettings Plans – Alconbury Weald and Future Plans by the Housing Needs and Resources Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book). It was explained to the Panel that where a block of affordable housing is released on a development, the local lettings plan allows the Council to create a balanced community.

Members were also informed that as it is anticipated that the need for local lettings plans will become more frequent, it is proposed that in future the authority to adopt local lettings plans will be delegated to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing and Economic Development.

In response to a question from Councillor Giles, on whether allocating affordable housing to applicants from lower bands frees up housing elsewhere, the Panel was informed that it could have that affect but it is not guaranteed.

Councillor Wilson welcomed the local lettings plan and stated that the previous plan for Bearscroft Farm (Romans Edge) was successful in creating a mixed and balanced community. In response to Councillor Wilson’s question on how big a development has to be for a local lettings plan to be developed, the Panel was informed that the minimum size would be 60 units but there are developments of less than 60 where a local lettings plan might be appropriate.

Following a query, from Councillor Alban, regarding the opportunities that Members have to feed into future local lettings plans, it was confirmed that the decisions will be published on the Notice of Key Executive Decisions which is published on both Overview and Scrutiny Panel agendas each month.

A concern was raised by Councillor Wilson, in relation to the potential distortion of the housing waiting lists through the use of local lettings plans, however Members were reassured that legislation prevents Councils from using local lettings plans to override the general Lettings Policy. The Panel

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendation contained within the report.