Agenda item

Ken Hopkins, Interim Head of Housing Management, outlined a report setting out the Government’s latest position on the Right to Buy (RTB) Scheme for social housing and the effect that this could have on Slough Borough Council.  The Committee was reminded that in the previous year the government had announced it’s intention to change the rules regarding the current RTB scheme to stimulate sales and a related consultation was being held up to the period ending 2^nd February, 2012.  The Officer highlighted that the most publicised aspect of the change proposed was the move to a single national discount cap of £50k.  Members noted the treatment of the capital receipts from of the current RTB scheme whereby after accounting for liable costs, 75% of the net receipt was paid to Central Government.  The proposed arrangements made significant changes to this to enable the commitment to a one for one replacement of units sold.  The financial and practical difficulties of this aspiration were discussed by the Officer and it was highlighted that  Councils could not procure the housing replacement on a one off one for one basis.  The Officer concluded that many unknowns remained within the proposals to make any firm predictions of how the changes would affect Slough directly but the Government had a firm intention to implement the changes in April 2012. 

In the ensuing debate Members expressed great concern regarding the Council’s inability to rebuild further Council housing and the vast numbers of individuals on its housing waiting list.  The Committee requested that Neil Aves, Assistant Director, Housing Services reflect the Committee’s concerns  within his  response to the consultation document.

Resolved – That the report be noted and that Assistant Director, Housing  Services, reflect the Committees concerns within his consultation response.