25 Affordable Housing Commuted Sums Expenditure 
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To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the associated report.
Additional documents:
Decision:
1. That the release of Section 106 funding for affordable housing totalling £292,250 held by the Council in lieu of affordable housing provision on the site known as Barretts 66-68 Frant Way (Planning Permission TW/17/01608 FULL) to Town and Country Housing Group be approved.
2. That the Head of Housing, Health and Environment, in consultation with the Head of the Legal Partnership to enter into a grant agreement be authorised and all associated legal documentation with Town and Country Housing to facilitate the delivery of five 2 bed social rented houses at Hornbeam Avenue, Southborough using the Section 106 funding released be approved.
REASON FOR DECISION:
The use of S106 funding for this purpose represents good value for money to secure five social rented homes and the further provision of affordable homes in the Borough.
Minutes:
Jane Lang, Housing Services Manager introduced the report as set out in the agenda.
Discussion and questions from Members included the following:
- The initiatives taken that enabled this proposal to be taken forward were to be congratulated.
- Any initiative that would allow for the delivery of more affordable housing was welcomed.
- Discussions were continuing with the developer to ensure that energy efficient measures were introduced.
- Although not relevant to this report and update on progress of the flats on Crescent Road was requested.
- It was confirmed the flats on Crescent Road were almost complete with the building works in the process of being signed off. The flats were due to be furnished next week and it was hoped they would be ready to be let within the next 2 weeks.
RESOLVED –
1. That the release of Section 106 funding for affordable housing totalling £292,250 held by the Council in lieu of affordable housing provision on the site known as Barretts 66-68 Frant Way (Planning Permission TW/17/01608 FULL) to Town and Country Housing Group be approved.
2. That the Head of Housing, Health and Environment, in consultation with the Head of the Legal Partnership to enter into a grant agreement be authorised and all associated legal documentation with Town and Country Housing to facilitate the delivery of five 2 bed social rented houses at Hornbeam Avenue, Southborough using the Section 106 funding released be approved.
REASON FOR DECISION:
The use of S106 funding for this purpose represents good value for money to secure five social rented homes and the further provision of affordable homes in the Borough.
6 Affordable Housing Commuted Sums Expenditure PDF 148 KB
To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Councillor Matthew Bailey had registered to speak on Item 6, comments included-
The council has adopted aim to be carbon neutral by 2030 and to encourage others to reduce emissions. The carbon reduction plan adopted by cabinet means carbon emissions must be taken into account in all decision making. The Communities and Economic Development Cabinet Advisory Board can play a crucial role in reducing emissions; it advises cabinet on waste and leisure contracts. St John’s Leisure Centre tops the list of co2 emissions in the sector with The Weald Sports Centre in Cranbrook coming third. The waste contract accounts for 27% of the council’s total co2 output. Regarding this particular agenda item, by supplying funding we have some influence over the provider and we must try to make this development as energy efficient as possible – I would ask officers to speak to the developer and ask them to add further energy efficiency measures and to come back to members to advise if these are measures which are possible to implement.
Sarah Holmes, Housing Register and Development Manager, responded to Councillor Bailey with the following comments –
We will discuss with the developer if further carbon reduction measures can be put in place which may result in further funding requirements.
Sarah Holmes introduced the report. Comments included -
Council holds section 106 contributions for affordable housing where it isn’t available on site. This report is asking for section 106 funding. Town and Country cannot offer enough contribution to provide the developer to offer five 2 bed social rented housing units, therefore this needs to be subsidised by section 106 funding.
Members of the Committee took account of the report and raised a number of questions and issues within their discussions. Points raised included:
· There is no stipulation on time framed this needs to be used by.
· Concerns that Town and Country and Peabody are joined together and whilst Peabody are proactive in providing social housing Town and Country seem more reluctant.
· After 3 years tenants will get the right to acquire but this is very rarely done. Right to acquire should be reinvested.
· There has been no social rented housing built in Southborough since 2011.
· There are other projects coming up in the coming months which may also need subsidy to make them social rent instead of affordable rent so this will be budgeted for.
· Planning officer will see what developer has to offer in terms of green technologies but the Housing Team will try to go above and beyond. Planning condition 21 states developer has to advise officers what technologies they will be using.
· Thanks were given to Sarah and her Team for delivering social rented homes within the borough.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Cabinet agree the release of Section 106 funding for affordable housing totalling £292,250 held by the Council in lieu of affordable housing provision on the site known as ‘Barretts 66-68 Frant Road, (Planning permission TW/17/01608/FULL applies) to Town and Country Housing Group; and