Decision details

Cabinet were asked to consider endorsing the housing delivery paper which was attached to this report through annex one. This asks central government for legislative and regulatory changes to better balance the delivery of new homes with the needs of the community, and for additional national resources to increase the delivery of new affordable homes. 

The report highlighted the mismatch between the type and affordability of new homes that have been built in the district and the needs of the community. Specifically, identifying flaws in the way in which housing numbers had been allocated across the country.  The report referenced data published by the council in 2020 through the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and concluded that the cost of housing needs for affordable homes and pressures placed on homelessness services over the last two years have been significantly impacted through economic pressures. 

The report drew attention to the urgent need for the delivery of more affordable homes.  Urgent changes were needed to ensure better balances between the new homes which were to be built in the district and the needs of the community. It is the Cabinet's intention to lobby central government for urgent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, funding arrangements relating to affordable housing delivery and financial support for housing costs for those residents on low incomes. 

The following Members spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1: 

Councillor Whitehead; 

Councillor Albon; 

Councillor Garner; 

Councillor Austin; 

Councillor Everitt; 

Councillor Bailey. 

Councillor Jill Bayford proposed, Councillor Pugh seconded and Members agreed that Cabinet endorses the Housing Delivery Paper, and the specific asks of the Central Government for legislative and regulatory changes to better balance the delivery of new homes with the needs of the community and for additional national resources to increase the delivery of new affordable homes.