To consider the deferred Housing Investment Plan report.  Members are requested to bring their copy of the report to the meeting and to consider the attached presentation from Aragon Housing.

The Chairman welcomed Alan Humphreys Chief Executive of Grand Union Housing Group and Alieen Evans Managing Director of Aragon Housing Association.  Mr Humphreys gave a presentation that outlined the history of the Grand Union Housing Group and Aragon Housing, the services provided to residents and their achievements to date.  A significant investment in new homes and existing properties had been met by Aragon and grants received from the Housing Corporation was outlined along with their future programme and tenure breakdown.

The Grand Union Group and Aragon Housing Association had established a consortium with neighbouring Housing Associations to enhance the number of projects it could deliver but emphasised it had the capacity to do more and work in partnership with Central Bedfordshire colleagues. Members recognised the work undertaken by Aragon Housing in the community particularly with young people.

In light of the presentation Members discussed the following:-

·         The provision of lifetime homes for older people.  Mr Humphreys explained whilst life time homes were being built, the housing group wished to provide a range of property that would encourage residents to move out of family accommodation as and when their circumstances changed.  However, he recognised that this was dependent on suitable alternative accommodation being available.

·         The steps the Association had taken to provide smaller properties in order that residents might downsize as a result of the impact of the Welfare Reforms.  In response Aragon proposed new build schemes to meet this need, however, the changes had resulted in fewer requests for 3 bedroom properties within its existing stock.

·         Concerns regarding the cost of market rents and that shared ownership also needed to be affordable.  These concerns were acknowledged and whilst Aragon had little influence with private developers, they were able to  keep costs down through its own developments.  Aragon was also re-letting properties at social rent rather than the higher affordable rent with little flexibility on the initial shared purchase.  It falls on the LA via its S106 agreement to prevent this happening.

·         Whether the amount of outside space could be increased on new build sites in order that children could play and reduce the risk of obesity and other health issues.  Aragon supported this in principle, however, the cost implication was an issue and they had little influence on the section 106 developments.

The Assistant Director Housing introduced a presentation that had been deferred from the previous meeting.  The draft Housing Investment Plan outlined the investment potential available to the Council that was in the region of £150m over the next 30 years.  The approach to investment included opportunities to bring schemes forward of varying sizes and the opportunity to work with Aragon and other Housing Associations in all wards.  Schemes in Croft Green Dunstable, 26 units and Creasey Park Dunstable, four units, would be submitted for approval shortly.  Other considerations for development included the redevelopment of garage sites, improvements to current housing stock, estate improvements, new build and partnership opportunities.

The Council had achieved partnership status with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and secured a grant of £1.7m for Priory View in Dunstable.  Officers would be looking to strengthen their relationship with the HCA to maximise the Council’s opportunity for develop and investment.

A set of  ‘golden rules’ to guide the Council’s investment approach  in addition to the programme and the approach to be taken forward, including the formation of an investment panel was also outlined on which Members views were sought.

In light of the presentation, Members discussed the following:-

·         Support for the estate improvements that included the redevelopment of some garage blocks.

·         Support for the proposal to offer small new build developments for smaller  wards and local people

·         A request to refer to affordable housing as ‘social housing’ in the plan.

·         That the Tenants Scrutiny Panel be fully involved in the process.

Members fully supported Housing Investment Plan golden rules as a basis to plan Housing Investment for the future benefit of Central Bedfordshire residents.

RECOMMENDED

1.    That the Social Care Health and Housing OSC fully support Aragon Housing Association and help to build on the current excellent partnership arrangements for the residents of Central Bedfordshire.

2.    That the ‘Golden Rules’ principle to guide the Council’s investment plan be supported.