Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 22 November 2017 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 reported that this was the last meeting of the Commission in the 2017/18 Municipal Year and expressed her thanks to the members of the Commission, officers and representatives from Stockport Homes for their contribution to the work of the Commission in helping focus much needed attention on housing in the Borough which continued to be one of the most important issues facing Stockport and its residents.

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

The report provides an update regarding progress in relation to the new build programme.

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

The Director of Resources (Stockport Homes) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the development programme of new build properties since the last report which had been presented to the Commission in November 2017.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Council was comfortable with the level of borrowing used to finance the development of new build homes.

·         Mixed-use developments were only sustainable where commercial usage was viable.  It was noted that the retail space in the Hopes Carr Phase 1 development had remained vacant since its completion five years ago, and its conversion into four one bedroom accessible flats was welcomed.

·         The current rate of development could be sustained within current budgetary provision for the foreseeable future.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an overview of the Housing Delivery 2017/18 in Stockport and work that the Council is undertaking to bring forward sites for development within 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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of Housing Delivery in 2017/18 in Stockport and work that the Council was undertaking to bring forward sites for development within the Borough.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The proposed scheme to the rear of Stitch Lane, Heaton Norris was a pipeline scheme the detail of which had not yet been worked up.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the condition of Unity Mill, Woodley and that it was not sustainable for it to be allowed to continue to deteriorate.  It was further commented that the primary means of access to the site was via a bridge over the railway line which would need to be rebuilt to accommodate any increase in vehicular traffic.  In response, it was stated that there may be potential to provide an alternative access to the rear of the site.

·         It was stated that the proposed scheme at Midland Road/ Geneva Road, Bramhall would require significant land remediation before it was able to progress due to its former use as a landfill site, however remediation technologies continued to advance which could make its redevelopment viable in the future.

·         A discussion took place in relation to the phasing of development at the former Woodford Aerodrome site.  It was stated that a small number of affordable units had been built to date, however larger numbers were due in future phases to a total of 166 units overall.

·         The Council was in the process of serving forfeiture proceedings in respect of the site of the former Greenhale House, Stockport.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Support, Stockport Homes.

The report outlines the nature of the 2017 Homelessness Reduction Act and implications for Stockport.

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

Officer contact: Geoff Binns on 0161 474 3721 or email: geoff.binns@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Support, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the nature of the 2017 Homelessness Reduction Act and the potential implications for Stockport.

It was reported that much of what the Act required was already being undertaken in Stockport and services to codify those activities.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         An impact of the Act would be that the Housing Options Team would need to spend more time with each applicant and there would therefore be a requirement for additional staffing and the introduction of a new IT system.  It was stated that the IT system had already been implemented and two additional housing option officers had been recruited through ring-fenced additional government funding.

·         While the Greater Manchester authorities had been working together on practicalities such as legal paperwork, staff training and the development of new computer systems there was currently no proposal to develop a unified homelessness service.

·         The main causes of homelessness were changes to the benefit system and taxation and the high demand for affordable housing.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Every quarter the Housing Strategy Team produces a housing market bulletin for Stockport as attached in appendix 1. Prices of houses sold over the previous quarter reported by Her Majesty’s Land Registry are analysed and the views of local estate agents are gathered. National house price information and money market data are also collected. This gives an up to date view of the housing market both for sale and rent.  The results are presented in the form of a free, short Bulletin which is circulated in e-mail form to all housing practitioners and professionals 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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted the latest issue of the Housing Market Bulletin (copies of which had been circulated).

It was reported that every quarter the Housing Strategy Team produces a housing market bulletin for Stockport which included the prices of houses sold over the previous quarter, national house price information and money market data.  This aimed to provide an up to date view of the housing market both for sale and rent.  The results were presented in the form of a free, short Bulletin which was circulated in e-mail form to all housing practitioners and professionals in the Borough.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that the latest data from the Land Registry showed that the annual average house price increase in Stockport was 8.0%, which was higher than the UK average of 5.2%.  It was commented that this served to take home ownership out of reach of more families in Stockport.

·         The number of empty properties in the Borough remained more or less static at 2.4% which is a level which was commensurate with turnover in the housing market.

·         Given the average price of a terraced house was approximately £180,000, there was a need to develop more homes that were available for affordable rent.

·         When interest rates increase there was an increased likelihood that housing repossessions would also increase.

·         Restricted land supply coupled with increasing demand had resulted in the prices of houses increasing.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing 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 following comments were made:-

·         The Council had decided to engage consultants to design fire suppressant systems and following a tendering exercise, this had been narrowed to two potential providers.

·         It was anticipated that the cost of introducing sprinkler systems will have increased following the Grenfell fire due to an increase in demand for the provision of such systems, however it was expected that this cost could be accommodated over a number of years.

·         The exact specification and design of the sprinkler systems was subject to the work due to be undertaken with the appointed consultant.

·         Priority would be given to those tower blocks which had only one stairwell.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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.