Issue - meetings

To receive a report providing information on First Homes and the Council’s position when a development proposal includes this form of affordable housing.

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford.

The Cabinet has

(a)  noted the contents of the report now submitted; and

(b)  agreed the First Homes Position Statement.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Regeneration and Housing Delivery Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the affordable housing product of First Homes and the Council’s position statement in relation to development proposals that includes this form of affordable housing.

The Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy and Housing acquainted Members with background to First Homes that fall within the definition of affordable housing for planning purposes.

Having been informed by discussion at the Overview  and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) held on 7th June 2023, the Executive Councillor confirmed that the statement had been updated to reflect their concerns, specifically in relation to the inclusion of self-employed classified as meeting employment within the District and gave assurance that the family connections criteria would include reference to adult children living in the area and any joint custody arrangements as sufficient local connection. Whereupon, the Cabinet has

RESOLVED

(a)  to note the contents of the report now submitted; and

(b)  agreed the First Homes Position Statement.

The Panel is invited to comment on the First Homes Position Statement.

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford

By means of a report by the Regeneration and Housing Delivery Manager (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the First Homes Statement was presented to the Panel.

Following a question from Councillor Pickering, the Panel heard that self-employed residents would be classified the same as employed residents in respect of meeting employment within the district criteria.

Councillor Blackwell expressed concerns that by including siblings within the criteria, the scheme would be subject to abuse. The Panel were advised that a sibling connection had been retained within the scheme in line with LGA guidance however it could be reflected upon.

The Panel were assured, following a question from Councillor Howell, that once identified as a First Home, a restriction would be placed with the Land Registry to ensure that this status remained in perpetuity.

It was clarified to the Panel, following a question from Councillor Harvey, that the reference to a connection with older children within the report was not intended to exclude a connection with younger children.

In response to a question from Councillor Martin, it was confirmed to the Panel that those who are employees of a Huntingdonshire business but that work from home, would satisfy the employment connection.

It was thereupon

RESOLVED

that the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel be passed to Cabinet for their consideration when making a decision upon the recommendations contained within the report.