Agenda item

Details of the Annual Monitoring Report 2018/19 were outlined for Members consideration, which included the main achievements of 2018/19, the progress of planning policies and development trends in the Borough.  The report highlighted that 534 net additional dwellings were completed in Slough in 2018/19, which was lower than the average net completions over the previous five years. It was noted however that there were 858 dwellings under construction and 1297 with planning permission. 

It was brought to the Committee’s attention that the Five Year Housing Supply situation had changed significantly since last year, at which time the Council had a 6.5 year supply.  This had fallen to a 2.1 year supply as at April 2019 and the factors contributing to this reduction were summarised.  Members noted an amendment to the published figure in the Housing Land Supply tabled on page 172 of the agenda in that the 5 year identified supply was 1,995, not 1,986 as stated in the report.  Where local authorities could not demonstrate a five year supply of deliverable housing the development plan policies were considered to be out of date and the ‘tilted balance’ must be applied in determining planning applications for housing development. It was explained that this required local planning authorities to apply the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

A number of other key indicators and trends were noted including the housing mix.  83% of housing completions last year were flats, partly due to the high number of Prior Approvals for office conversions.  The results of the Housing Delivery Test were than Slough had delivered 86% of required housing over the past three years, which was below the Government’s target of 95% and therefore required an action plan to be produced.  In relation to the town centre, a Member asked what measures were being taken to address the decline of the town centre and specifically the retail vacancy rate.  It was responded that a ‘meanwhile’ strategy was in place ahead of the awaited major regeneration planned for the future.  Councillor Smith raised a query about comparative levels of business rates with neighbouring towns and it was agreed that further information would be provided outside of the meeting.

At the conclusion of the discussion the recommendations were agreed.

Resolved –

(a)  That the key results from the Annual Monitoring Report 2018/19, which are highlighted in this report, be noted.

(b)  That a full version of the Annual Monitoring Report 2018/19 be published on the Council’s website.