Agenda and minutes

The Committee is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2021  (copy previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Members to declare interests in any agenda items

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a report advising them of the National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) requirements to deliver First Homes through the planning process from 28 June 2021.

How first homes would apply in Gateshead

Policy CS11 of the Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan (CSUCP) requires provision of 15% affordable homes on developments of 15 or more dwellings. The Council’s preferred split of the 15% affordable housing is 65% subsidised rent and 35% subsidised home ownership. First homes would fall under the definition of subsidised home ownership (and would also be subject to viability like other forms of affordable housing). First Homes should account for at least 25% of all affordable homes delivered by developers through planning obligations (Section 106 Agreements) once planning permission has been granted. An example of how this would apply in Gateshead as follows:

·        If a development proposes 200 homes, 30 of these (15%) would need to be affordable in accordance with policy CS11.

·        Of the 30 affordable homes, 25% of these should be First Homes. This would equate to 8 homes (rounded up) and would also leave a remaining 10% (3 homes) for other types of affordable home ownership, such as shared ownership

·        65% of the affordable homes (19 homes) would remain for subsidised rent.

The Committee were advised that this guidance on First Homes is unlikely to increase or decrease the amount of affordable housing provided in the Borough and would not conflict with the proportions of different tenures sought in the CSUCP. However, it will introduce a new type of product within the subsidised home ownership tenure and set a greater discount than existing Discounted Market Sale (DMS) (30% as opposed to 20%). First Homes , therefore, may reduce the amounts of DMS or shared ownership homes provided.

There will be an increase in the resources required to facilitate and monitor the initial and subsequent sales of First Homes. However, there is a provision for the Council to charge monitoring fees associated with Section 106 Agreements.

RESOLVED - That the information be noted.

Report of  the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a report informing them of Enforcement Activity between the period 25 August 2021 to 22 September 2021.

The enforcement team has received 129 new service requests 140 cases have been resolved.

There are 46 pending prosecutions and the enforcement team have attended no court hearings during this period.

RESOLVED - That the information be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Consideration was given to a report that informed of the progress of enforcement action previously authorised by the Committee.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee were advised of new appeals received and to report the decisions of the Secretary of State during the report period.

The Committee were advised that since the last Committee there have been no new appeals lodged.

The Committee were advised that since the last Committee there have been two new appeal decisions received.

The Committee were advised that there have been no appeal cost decisions.

RESOLVED -  That the information be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee were advised of the completion of Planning Obligations which have previously been authorised.

Since the last Committee there have been no new planning obligations.

Since the last Committee there have been no new payments received in respect of planning obligations.

RESOLVED -  That the information be noted.