Agenda item

Cabinet:

1.            Noted the outcome of the consultations carried out.

2.         Noted the progress made regarding the procurement of preferred partners.

3.         Agreed the prioritisation of estates as identified in Section 5 of the report.

4.         Agreed that the Director of Housing had the authority to arrange for the service of demolition notices at the appropriate time in relation to all affected properties on the estates and schemes in the programme.

Councillor Damian White, Cabinet member for Housing, introduced the report

Cabinet was reminded that at its meeting on 15 June it was agreed that officers would commence consultation with local residents and initiate procurement of a preferred partner for the delivery of 12 key regeneration sites for the provision of affordable housing, including older persons’ housing.  The report provided an update on the progress made since that decision.

Reasons for the Decision:

These actions were necessary in order to achieve the agreed recommendations from the June Cabinet paper.  The outcomes from these actions would lead to an increase in the number of affordable homes available for local residents and thus help to mitigate the increased pressure on housing in Havering. 

An increased housing supply would improve the options for local people to access safe, affordable housing, reduce homelessness and ease potential pressures on the General Fund.  In addition, the creation of new homes within the HRA would enable increases to rent, which could be used to offset losses from properties lost through the right to buy (RTB) scheme and would enable RTB receipts to be used for the benefit of Havering rather than being handed back to Government. 

Other Options Considered:

The options relating to the preferred methods of procurement and the delivery model were detailed within the report.

Cabinet:

1.            Noted the outcome of the consultations carried out.

2.         Noted the progress made regarding the procurement of preferred partners.

3.         Agreed the prioritisation of estates as identified in Section 5 of the report.

4.         Agreed that the Director of Housing had the authority to arrange for the service of demolition notices at the appropriate time in relation to all affected properties on the estates and schemes in the programme.