Agenda item

(a)  That the following recommendations from the Commissioning Consultative  Group be endorsed, for the reasons set out in paragraphs 5.4 and 5.5 of the report –

­ The option to ‘do nothing’ is not accepted; and that

­ The option of Large Scale stock transfer is not to be progressed further

(b)  All other options are to be considered and reviewed by the Commissioning Consultative Group, chaired by Cllr Ajaib, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal, and Resident Consultative Group with final recommendations being brought to Cabinet in December 2017.

The Commissioner for Housing & Urban Renewal introduced a report that provided an update on the Housing Option Appraisal following consultation with the Residents Board and other groups and taking into account the opportunities for innovation in respect of managing the housing stock.  The work undertaken to date had led to the recommendation to narrow the options by excluding ‘do nothing’ and large scale stock transfer from further consideration.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services explained the reasons why the two options were recommended not to be progressed.  Stock transfer had been discounted following analysis by Savills that indicated that it would leave a substantial overhanging debt and have a negative impact on the General Fund.  The ‘do nothing’ option would not enable the Council to realistically meet the demand for homes and wider strategic housing aspirations.  The Cabinet therefore agreed that excluding these two options would allow greater focus on the other options.  A further report would be received by Cabinet in December 2017 following phase 2 of the appraisal work.

Resolved –

(a)  That the following recommendations from the Commissioning Consultative  Group be endorsed, for the reasons set out in paragraphs 5.4 and 5.5 of the report –

-  The option to ‘do nothing’ is not accepted; and that

-  The option of Large Scale stock transfer is not to be progressed further

(b)  All other options are to be considered and reviewed by the Commissioning Consultative Group, chaired by Cllr Ajaib, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal, and Resident Consultative Group with final recommendations being brought to Cabinet in December 2017.