Agenda item - New Homes for Neighbourhoods - Housing Co-op Pilot

Report of Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

109.1      RESOLVED - That the Committee take note and approve the recommendations as set out  below, as recommended for approval by Housing and New Homes Committee, that:

a)         The land at Plumpton Road, Brighton BN2 9YL be made available for leasing.

b)         There be delegated authority to the Executive Directors for Economy, Environment & Culture, Finance and Resources and Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (in consultation with each other) to enter into the necessary contracts with Bunker Housing Co-operative Limited to lease the former council housing garage site at Plumpton Road, Brighton BN2 9YL, to secure the building of two new homes for rental by the co-op. The granting of the lease is subject to Bunker obtaining planning consent, funding and entering into a nominations agreement with the council. 

109.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing in relation to New Homes for Neighbourhoods - Housing Co-op Pilot. The Chair also noted that the report had been considered by the Housing & New Homes Committee on 18 January 2017; as set in the associated extract. This report now sought approval to lease the Plumpton Road former garage site to Bunker Housing Co-operative in order to self-build two family homes for rent, which will be let within affordable rent levels to applicants from the Homemove register and to which the council will be able to nominate future tenants.

109.2      Councillor Gibson highlighted the credentials of the scheme, and noted that the rents were as low as 75% of the local housing allowance. There was no cost in terms of borrowing, and the model was worth exploring as a means to bring down costs at other locations. He hoped the Committee would support the report.

109.3      Councillor G. Theobald welcomed the report and felt the work was very positive.

109.4      Councillor Meadows, as Chair of the Housing & New Homes Committee, noted that Officers had been able to learn a lot about housing co-ops through this work. She noted that this report met recommendations from the Fairness Commission, and offered alternative affordable housing in the city at zero cost to the Council. She hoped the Committee would support the report in full.

109.5      The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote.

109.6      RESOLVED - That the Committee take note and approve the recommendations as set out  below, as recommended for approval by Housing and New Homes Committee, that:

a)         The land at Plumpton Road, Brighton BN2 9YL be made available for leasing.

b)         There be delegated authority to the Executive Directors for Economy, Environment & Culture, Finance and Resources and Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (in consultation with each other) to enter into the necessary contracts with Bunker Housing Co-operative Limited to lease the former council housing garage site at Plumpton Road, Brighton BN2 9YL, to secure the building of two new homes for rental by the co-op. The granting of the lease is subject to Bunker obtaining planning consent, funding and entering into a nominations agreement with the council.