Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

This report has been submitted following a request from the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 15 September 2014. 

The report outlines the various types of affordable housing, the Councils’ Affordable Housing Policy and the supply of new affordable homes in the borough

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 474 4319 or email: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an explanation of the various types of affordable housing, outlining the Council’s own Affordable Housing Policy and providing information on the supply of new affordable homes in the borough.

The Executive Councillor for Economic Development & Regeneration (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to answer councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Housing Needs Assessment in 2011 identified that 65% of people were unable to afford to buy or rent properties at market price and the extent to which this fact had influenced the current housing policy was discussed.

·         Concern was expressed that there was a consistent failure to meet the Council’s affordable housing policy requirements in those areas with the highest property prices.

·         It was commented that it would be useful to see information from comparator authorities on how they met their affordable housing requirements.

·         The benefits of accommodation available on a social rent was raised and the prospect of such housing being included within future developments across the borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted,