Issue - meetings

B Report of the Director of Housing Services

1.      It has been agreed in principle to tender for a new RSL Procurement Framework, to address the future affordable housing requirements.

2.      The final Procurement Framework Agreement is to be reconsidered and approved by Cabinet at the end of the process.

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet and questioned the need to spend money to go through a tender process with potential new partners.  He favoured partnership with all housing associations rather than having a limited list selected through procurement.  He claimed that the report itself was light on detail and was unsure that it addressed the council’s need for social housing.

Councillor Hawkins addressed Cabinet and was unhappy with the option to bid for funding at short notice when sites became available.  She referred to a recent problem in her constituency where a lack of coordination had resulted in a development being pushed through against the wishes of local residents.

Councillor Beardswoth, as Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, presented the report to Cabinet and asked cabinet to agree in principle to the recommendations in order that the first steps could be taken to built an effective framework.

Councillor PD Varnsverry referred to a development in Upton where the RSL had worked hard to create a cohesive community and had engaged closely with homeowners and tenants.  Councillor Church commended the report.

Councillor B Hoare welcomed a new way forward for partnership working with RSL partners and felt that lessons had been learned from the scheme introduced two years previously.

RESOLVED

1.      That it has be agreed in principle to tender for a new RSL Procurement Framework, to address the future affordable housing requirements.

2.      That the final Procurement Framework Agreement be reconsidered and approved by Cabinet at the end of the process.