Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2017 (copies of which had been circulated) were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

The Chair announced that she had attended the opening of a housing development of eight new homes for affordable rent at Wild Street, Bredbury which had been delivered by Equity Housing in partnership with the Council.

To consider a presentation from the Chief Executive of Stockport Homes.

The Chief Executive of Stockport Homes attended the meeting and made a presentation in relation to the future form and function of social housing.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A perceived advantage of the private rented sector was the ability to take up a tenancy and be in the property in a very short period of time.  It was suggested that for many young people, the length of time it would take to secure a social rented property meant that this was not an attractive choice.

·         There was a lack of turnover for many social rented properties as tenants chose to stay, which meant that in many areas of the Borough there wasn’t a realistic proposition of obtaining a property.

·         It was difficult to measure changes in the health outcomes of residents as a result of the significant investment made in Stockport Homes’ properties.

·         Concern was expressed that 43% of private rented homes did not meet the decent homes standard.

·         The registration of private landlords was suggested as a means of raising standards across the sector.  It was commented that there was an increasing recognition across Greater Manchester that registration would be an effective mechanism to improve the quality of the housing stock, however there was a longstanding political reluctance at a national level for the necessary governmental intervention to permit the introduction of such a scheme.

·         It was commented that Stockport had not been a significant beneficiary of the Greater Manchester Housing Investment Loan Fund.

·         There was scope to further publicise the private lettings service operated by Stockport Homes.

·         Social isolation and loneliness was one of the most significant issues affecting older people and more work needed to be done to tackle this.

·         The Local Plan would offer an opportunity to set the framework for the number, design and quality of residential development in the Borough for the next 15-20 years.

·         Work was taking place at a Greater Manchester level in relation to the strengthening of social housing and a report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Commission detailing the progress that had been made to date.

RESOLVED – That Helen McHale be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

To consider a report of the Director of Resources, Stockport Homes.

On 8 March 2017 a full progress report was delivered to the Housing Commission which included the full details of the development programme, including details of individual schemes. This report provides an update on the previous report.

The Commission is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Steve Leonard on 0161 474 3460 or email: steve.leonard@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Director of Resources, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress in delivering the Stockport Homes, Stockport Council and Viaduct Partnership Development Programme.

It was reported that since the previous report the total number of completed new build homes (including those under construction) had increased from 535 units to 725 units.

The following comments were made:-

·         During the first quarter, the ‘Cross Keys’ scheme had been completed which offered 14 homes for rent, and tenants had moved into the properties in May.

·         A further two schemes had commenced during Quarter 1 at the ‘Bredbury Curve’ and St Thomas’ Hospital.

·         The development at Blackstone Fields, Offerton had gained planning permission and aimed to provide 27 homes.  Further work was taking place in relation to the land to the rear of the development to better understand the ground conditions.

The Chair commented that the progress made to date was encouraging and the outlook for future developments as part of the scheme remained positive.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on the progress made to date, and the approach going forward to deliver fire suppressant (sprinkler) systems in the Council’s 22 tower blocks.

The Commission is recommended to comment on and note the report.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing on the progress made to date, and the approach going forward to deliver fire suppressant systems in the Council’s 22 tower blocks

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There was an ongoing programme of type 4 fire risk assessments taking place across multi-storey and medium rise stock.  It was stated that the multi-stories had now been completed and work was underway on the medium rise buildings.

·         A lot of work had been undertaken by Stockport Homes to ensure that residents were fully informed of ongoing developments. 

·         The cladding on the multi-storey buildings at Lancashire Hill had now been tested by BRE and had passed.  It was stated that cladding from the Mottram Street multi-storey buildings was due to be tested by the end of the year.

·         The retrofitting of sprinklers would take place over a number of years due to the scale of the project and the demand on the limited number of contractors providing this type of work nationally.

·         It was commented that there were a number of leaseholders within multi-storey accommodation which may present some difficulties in terms of sprinkler installation if they refused access.

·         Prioritisation in the sprinkler installation programme would be given to those buildings with only one stairwell.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report outlines the safeguards in place to address rough sleeping in the Borough during the cold weather. It addition, it gives an outline of the implications of the 2017 Homelessness Reduction Act, and a summary of sub-regional initiatives to address the issue.

The Commission is recommended to comment on and note the report.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the safeguards in place to address rough sleeping in the Borough during the cold weather. It addition, the report provided an outline of the implications of the 2017 Homelessness Reduction Act, and a summary of sub-regional initiatives to address the issue.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The official count of the number of rough sleepers in Stockport was 10.  However, it was accepted that the methodology by which the count was undertaken meant that it was unlikely to reflect the true picture of homelessness in Stockport.

·         It was noted that the Wellspring Centre was working with around 80 people, however this was unlikely to be wholly made up of rough sleepers only.

·         The Buxton Road Centre had been temporarily closed due to a fire, but was now fully open.  During the period of closure, the Council had not used bed and breakfast accommodation, but operated emergency accommodation at the rear of Brindale House.

·         There were a number of pilot projects taking place across housing providers to trial a housing first approach to tackling entrenched homelessness. It was commented that there were a number of people who refused to work with the Council to get them back into accommodation.

·         It was requested that members of the Commission be provided with an update early in the New year with regard to the number of people that had approached the Council for assistance during the winter period.

RESOVLED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide an update to members of the Commission early in the New year with regard to the number of people that had approached the Council for assistance during the winter period.

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

The report provides a general progress update on the Brownfield First work.

The Commission is recommended to comment on and note the report.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Brownfield First project which aimed to continue to support and promote an approach to development which prioritises brownfield land.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The conversion of office buildings for residential use by means of prior notification applications undermined the development of a strategy for residential accommodation in the town centre as they operated outside of the planning regime.  This was particularly problematic where such conversions were low value or low quality.

·         The Council needed to work closely with developers to increase the quality of development.

·         Where the Council had a freehold interest it was able to exert more influence over the outcome of any development.  The Council also had an opportunity to be more assertive as a landlord.

·         There were indications that the government may seek to intervene to deal with developers who obtain planning permissions which are then not subsequently implemented.  It was requested that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Commission providing further information in relation to any further announcements.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of the Commission detailing any developments with regard to the potential for government intervention in those cases where developers obtain planning permission for residential development which is not subsequently implemented.

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

The report outlines issues around viability assessments that may impact on maximising the delivery of affordable housing in the borough.

The Commission is recommended to comment on and note the report.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining issues around viability assessments that may impact on maximising the delivery of affordable housing in the Borough.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed that developers were using viability assessments as a means of obviating the requirement to incorporate affordable housing within new schemes.

·         It was stated that viability assessments were independently reviewed on behalf of the Council .

·         Members needed to have confidence that viability assessments were being challenged and that developers were being held to the affordable housing requirements.

·         It was suggested that members could be briefed on the process of reviewing viability assessments as means of providing members with reassurance as to the robustness of the process.

·         Clawback agreements were put in place on developments to ensure that where profits were made in excess of those predicted in the viability assessment, the Council was able to recoup additional monies for affordable housing.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to make arrangements for an all-member briefing in relation to the process of reviewing viability assessments.

To agree the date for the next meeting of the Commission.

RESOLVED – That the date of the next meeting be agreed in consultation with the Chair.