Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on progress towards delivering against the Council’s housing target for new affordable homes over the five-year period (2019 – 2024).

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)     To note the contents of the report and progress to date on delivering both the New Council Homes Programme (NCHP) and other programmes and projects to deliver 5,000 new affordable homes in the borough by 2024.

(2)     To note the demand forecasts and that the current programme would continue to reduce the demand for permanent Council Homes.

(3)     To delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, to agree pre-tender considerations, invite tenders, evaluate tenders and thereafter to award development / construction contracts with developers / contractors in respect of the site listed in section 6.5 of the report (Church End).

(4)     To delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, to agree pre-tender considerations, invite tenders, evaluate tenders and thereafter to award development / construction contracts with developers / contractors in respect of the sites listed in section 6.3, 6.7 and 6.10 of the report, should the Council be unable to agree costs with the contractor appointed from the SCAPE Framework.

(5)     To delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, to agree pre-tender considerations, invite tenders, evaluate tenders and thereafter to award any High Value supply, services and/or design contracts in respect of the sites listed in section 6.0 of the report.

Councillor Southwood as Lead Member for Housing & Welfare Reform introduced the report providing a six monthly update on progress towards delivery of the Council’s housing target for new affordable homes over the five year period 2019-2024.

Members noted the updated housing demand analysis and forecasts, as detailed within section 3 of the report, along with the progress in delivery of the New Council Homes Programme, pipeline of developments and delivery of other large scale development schemes, including the South Kilburn and St Raphael Estate projects.  In considering the report, members were also advised of the way in which the approach towards the programme had been refined to ensure that it was not only delivering affordable homes but was also being shaped to meet the needs of homeless households in Brent as well as informing wider supply work, including maximising use of existing stock.

Details were also provided on the bid submitted through the GLA Affordable Homes Programme to fund ongoing delivery and development of the programme, as detailed within section 4 of the report, on which it was noted a final decision was awaited.

In commending and congratulating the Lead Member and officers on the progress made in delivery against the housing targets within the programme, members also felt it was important to recognise the ambitious nature of future targets being set and the Council’s ongoing commitment towards meeting the housing needs and improving the quality of life for Brent’s residents through the provision of affordable, safe and secure high quality housing.

Having considered the report Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To note the contents of the report and progress to date on delivering both the New Council Homes Programme (NCHP) and other programmes and projects to deliver 5,000 new affordable homes in the borough by 2024.

(2)    To note the demand forecasts and that the current programme would continue to reduce the demand for permanent Council Homes.

(3)    To delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, to agree pre-tender considerations, invite tenders, evaluate tenders and thereafter to award development / construction contracts with developers / contractors in respect of the site listed in section 6.5 of the report (Church End).

(4)    To delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, to agree pre-tender considerations, invite tenders, evaluate tenders and thereafter to award development / construction contracts with developers / contractors in respect of the sites listed in section 6.3, 6.7 and 6.10 of the report, should the Council be unable to agree costs with the contractor appointed from the SCAPE Framework.

(5)    To delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, to agree pre-tender considerations, invite tenders, evaluate tenders and thereafter to award any High Value supply, services and/or design contracts in respect of the sites listed in section 6 of the report.