Agenda item - New Homes for Neighbourhoods - Final Scheme Approval

28.1         Councillor Meadows introduced the report which had been referred to the council for information and detailed proposals for housing developments at Findon Road, Whitehawk as part of the Council’s programme to meet its housing targets.

28.2         Councillor Mears stated that she wished to express her concerns about the cost of the development and its impact on the Housing Revenue Account and other potential schemes.  It appeared that the costs were rising and housing tenants were unlikely to benefit from the scheme even though they were subsidising it.  She believed that there should be a Tenant Scrutiny on this issue and an independent audit of the scheme.

28.3         Councillor Miller stated that he was concerned about the excessive cost of the units which appeared to put them beyond the reach of tenants.  He believed that the council was getting a bad deal because of the lack of competition in the process of awarding the contract and hoped that this was something that the new Procurement Board would review.

28.4         The Mayor congratulated Councillor Miller on his maiden speech on behalf of the council.

28.5         Councillor Bell stated that he was also concerned about the proposed development and associated costs which he felt should have been placed on the developer.  He felt that funds for other projects and services were being restricted because of the approach taken and that this should be reviewed so that the risks associated with future developments were bourne by the developer and not the council.  This would then free up additional resources for tenants.

28.6         The Mayor congratulated Councillor Bell on his maiden speech on behalf of the council.

28.7         Councillor Phillips noted that the Green Group had put forward an amendment at the Housing Committee meeting which was not accepted.  She felt that it would be helpful to have a Working Group that could look at proposed developments and associated issues so as to take matters forward and report back to the committee.

28.8         Councillor Meadows noted the comments and stated that she understood and shared some of the concerns about the various projects.  However, these had been identified and agreed under a previous Administration and a number of those previous councillors were no longer on the council.  The proposed development at Findon Road was to a very high standard and met the new Homes Standard which should be welcomed.  She had also asked officers to establish a cross-party Project Board to look at how new homes could be provided across the city.

28.9         The Mayor stated that the report had been referred for information and therefore moved that it be noted.

28.10      RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

28.11      The Mayor then adjourned the meeting for a refreshment break at 6.10pm.

28.12      The Mayor reconvened the meeting at 6.45pm.