Issue - meetings

This report sets out the findings and recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Group, as recommended to Cabinet by the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

      i)        Cabinet noted the recommendations set out in the report of the Affordable Housing in New Developments Task Group.

    ii)        Cabinet noted the additional proposal of the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee: that plans for new housing developments take into account the known needs of people with disabilities awaiting housing provision.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council, welcomed Councillor Neil Nerva, to the meeting in her role as Chair of the Affordable Housing Scrutiny Task Group.

Councillor Nerva introduced the report by stating that this report sets out the findings and recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Group, which was presented to Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee.

CoucnillorNerva stated that the task group sought to gain an understanding of the barriers and solutions to affordable housing delivery during an acute housing crisis, following decades of declining delivery of genuinely affordable housing in the borough, across London and nationwide.

Councillor Shama Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning, welcomed the report and thanked Councillor Nerva for his work.  Councillor Tom Miller agreed with Councillor Tatler and paid tribute to the Task Group Vice Chair, Councillor Robert Johnson.

Councillor Ellie Southwood, Cabinet Member for Housing & Welfare Reform, welcomed the report and the extensive work carried out by the Affordable Housing Task Group. Councillor Southwood informed Councillor Nerva that she would welcome the opportunity to report back to an upcoming Scrutiny meeting on progress. Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive, stated that the Council would establish formal progress to enable Cabinet Members to report routinely back to the relevant Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

     i)        Cabinet noted the recommendations set out in the report of the Affordable Housing in New Developments Task Group.

    ii)        Cabinet noted the additional proposal of the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee: that plans for new housing developments take into account the known needs of people with disabilities awaiting housing provision.