Issue - meetings

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the First Homes Technical Advice Note (TAN) as set out in Appendix 3 is approved;

2.    approves setting a £175 administration fee per dwelling to be charged by CBC to developers in respect of the initial sale of First Homes, and to vendors in respect of resales is approved;

3.    authority is delegated to the Housing Strategy & Partnerships Manager to undertake any minor updates to the First Homes TAN (including the administration fee) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services began by thanking officers Martin Stacy and Ewan Wright for their work on this report over a period time.  She said the paper is an advice note for developers, advising them on how CBC regards the differences between potential homes they may provide, in relation to first homes, shared ownership – our preference – and other areas.  She confirmed that if any issues arise and changes need to be made in the next year or so, she will report back to Cabinet, in consultation with officers.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Wellbeing and Culture welcomed the reiteration of CBC’s policy on what the split of affordable housing should be, and agrees that while not very much can be done with the First Homes scheme, it is right that we put strong emphasis (75%) on affordable housing being social housing for rent.  This is the view of the party both locally and nationally, as there are areas of Cheltenham, such as Leckhampton, where the affordability gap is enormous between what young people can afford and what the local housing market can offer.  He welcomed this important part of the report and the emphasis of the policy, as well as the back-up advice for developers if first homes are appropriate. 

The Leader also thanked officers for their work, aware of the huge amount of time involved and many changes that had to be made.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the First Homes Technical Advice Note (TAN) as set out in Appendix 3 is approved;

2.    approves setting a £175 administration fee per dwelling to be charged by CBC to developers in respect of the initial sale of First Homes, and to vendors in respect of resales is approved;

3.    authority is delegated to the Housing Strategy & Partnerships Manager to undertake any minor updates to the First Homes TAN (including the administration fee) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing.