Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed those present to the first meeting of the Housing Commission and hoped that by working together the aim to build more affordable houses in Stockport would be achieved.

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 they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of an Appendix to Agenda Item 6 – ‘Stockport Property Alliance – Tranche 1 Sites’ as the appendix contained information which was ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 (matters relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)) as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended); the disclosure of which would not be fair and would therefore be in breach of Data Protection principles.

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the confidential Appendix to Agenda Item 9 – ‘Stockport Property Alliance – Tranche 1 Sites’ as it contained information which was ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 (matters relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)) as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended); the disclosure of which would not be fair and would therefore be in breach of Data Protection principles.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager

The report sets out draft Procedure Rules for the Commission.

The Commission is requested to formally adopt the Procedure Rules.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the proposed Procedure Rules for the Commission.

RESOLVED – That the Procedure Rules as set out in the report be adopted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager

The report sets out draft Terms of Reference for the Working Party.

The Working Party is requested to approve the Terms of Reference.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) proposing the Terms of Reference for the Stockport Housing Commission.

RESOLVED – That the Terms of Reference as detailed in paragraph 2.3 of the report be adopted.

To receive a presentation from Andy Kippax (Strategic Housing Lead).

The Strategic Housing Lead made a presentation outlining information and data in relation to:

·         Housing Market

·         Overall Housing Need (based on the 2015 Housing Needs assessment)

·         Older People Need (based on the 2015 Housing Needs assessment)

·         Key barriers to delivering affordable homes

·         Strategic aims

·         Housing Strategy priorities.

The Commission acknowledged that the biggest barrier to delivering additional homes was the availability of land and noted that work was being undertaken to identify brownfield sites together with potential measures to remove current obstacles to ensure sites are developed.

The Commission also noted that a Scrutiny Review into the current Mills Strategy was being undertaken.

RESOLVED – (1) That the presentation be noted.

(2) That details of those brownfield sites identified together with potential measures to remove current obstacles to ensure sites are developed be submitted to a future meeting of this Commission

To consider an update from Eamonn Boylan (Chief Executive) and Caroline Simpson (Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration).

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration provided the Commission with an update in relation to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and the review of the Stockport’s Local Plan.

The Commission noted that the first phase of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework was currently the subject of public consultation which would end on 23 December and there was a requirement to build 19,300 homes in Stockport. It was reported that 40% of Stockport was designated as greenbelt and the current proposals provided a new allocation of 12,000 homes in the greenbelt in order to achieve Stockport’s requirement.

The following comments were made:

·         The data provided by the Office of National Statistics overestimated the projected population of Greater Manchester by 100,000.

·         The current consultation being undertaken by the Combined Authority was difficult to understand or find the information regarding the proposals via the website.

·         There was a need to review the current policies in Stockport’s Local Plan to facilitate development on potential sites (other than the greenbelt)

·         Stockport’s Local Plan needed to reflect the needs of Stockport and not simply replicate the Greater Manchester Plan.

·         It was regrettable that the majority of the proposed 19,300 homes in Stockport were concentrated on four sites within the greenbelt totalling 12,000 homes.

·         There was a need for this Council to engage in a more proactive way with residents and this should be addressed as part of the second phase of the consultation e.g. roadshows at a time convenient to members of the public.

RESOLVED - (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director (Place & Regeneration be requested to consider how the Council can engage with residents in a more proactive way during the second phase of the consultation.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive of Stockport Homes.

The report outlines the impact that the work of social housing providers in Stockport can have in devolution and how this will work in Stockport.

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

Officer contact: Helen McHale on 0161 474 2865 or email: helen.mchale@stockporthomes.org

The Chief Executive of Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to the establishment of the Greater Manchester Housing Providers (GMHP) Group and its role in delivering the outcomes which will contribute to the overall vision of GM Devolution ‘Stronger Together’

The Commission discussed the information in this report, especially how they see the impact of the work of social housing providers in Stockport can have in devolution and how this works in Stockport.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider an update from Andy Kippax (Strategic Housing Lead).

The Strategic Housing Lead reported that that various models had been considered and it had been agreed that the model which achieved the best outcomes was to establish a company as part of the Stockport Homes Group called “Viaduct” with the following objectives:

·         Maximise opportunities to build homes across all tenures, using any available funding, with a focus on affordable housing

·         Maximise social value in the supply chain by creating local jobs and good quality apprenticeships

·         Engage local people in development strategies and design

·         Invest surpluses from work done in Stockport into providing more homes.

The Commission noted the proposed logo (copies of which were circulated) for the new company.

RESOLVED – That the current position, objectives and logo be noted.

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

The report details a number of sites identified by the Stockport Property Alliance within the Council’s portfolio that are suitable for residential development. 

(NOTE: The report contains a confidential appendix which has been circulated to members of the Commission only).

The Commission is recommended to note the report and progress to date.

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 details of a number of potential sites identified by the Stockport Property Alliance within the Council’s portfolio that are suitable for residential development.  The report contained a confidential appendix which has been circulated to members of the Commission only.

The Commission noted that the potential sites had not been agreed and Area Committees would be consulted on the proposals and if agreed, would be subject to the normal planning consultation process. The developments would be delivered via ‘viaduct’

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider reports of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration:-

All local authorities have a statutory requirement to produce a Housing Strategy.  The Housing Strategy 2016-2021 draws together all the housing issues that we currently face into one comprehensive document in the context of an ageing population, new government policies, a fast changing local housing market and a challenging economic climate. It also outlines the Councils’ long term housing vision and what is required to move forward over the next 5 years. Within this strategy we have set out a number of aims and priorities that will form the focus for delivery over the coming years.

The Executive is asked to approve the Housing Strategy 2016 – 2021 (including the ‘Stockport Housing Vision’ document).

Officer contact: Andy Kippax, 0161 474 4319, andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to the Housing Strategy that drew together all the housing issues currently facing the Borough into one comprehensive document in the context of an ageing population, new government policies, a fast changing local housing market and a challenging economic climate. The Strategy also outlined the Councils’ long term housing vision and what was required to progress this over the next 5 years. Set out within the Strategy were a number of aims and priorities that would form the focus for delivery over the coming years.

The establishment of a Housing Delivery Company and a Housing Commission to monitor the implementation of the Council’s Housing Strategy were highlighted as significant measures to address the housing needs of the borough. Executive councillors also welcomed the commitment within the Strategy to encouraging local employment.

It was reported that the Executive had approved the Strategy 2016-2021 (including the ‘Stockport Housing Vision’ document).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The report outlines the nature and role of the current Housing Allocation Policy, the consultation undertaken while looking at potential changes, and outlines the proposed amendments with the rationale for their introduction.

The Executive is invited to:-

·         note the proposed changes to the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy

·         approve the proposed new Council’s Housing Allocation Policy (Appendix 1)

Officer contact: Andy Kippax, 0161 474 4319, andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to a refreshed Housing Allocation Policy that included proposed amendments arising from government announcements, case law and the impact of welfare reform.

It was reported that the Executive had approved the proposed Council’s Housing Allocation Policy, as set out at Appendix 1to the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This report sits alongside the Housing Strategy 2016 -2021. A new preventing Homelessness Strategy 2016 - 2021 has been developed to maximise housing options, increase housing supply, meet the needs of vulnerable residents and respond to the challenges of welfare reform.

The strategy has eight key priorities focusing on preventative and proactive measures to help minimise homelessness.

The Executive is invited to approve the Homelessness Strategy 2016-2021.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax, 0161 474 4319, andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to a revised Homelessness Strategy that had been developed to maximise housing options, increase housing supply, meet the needs of vulnerable residents and respond to the challenges of welfare reform.

It was reported that the Executive had approved the Preventing Homelessness Strategy 2016-2021.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To agree the dates of future meetings of the Commission.

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