Agenda item

B Report of the Director of Housing Services

1.      The work of external advisors in producing assessment criteria to assist in producing a scaled back Expression of Interest in PFI is noted.

2.      A decision has been made, in the light of the reports on the scaled back bid and the revised financial implications whether to proceed with the PFI project.

3.      The inclusion of Eastfield and Thorplands estates in the scaled back bid is approved.

4.      The Director of Housing is authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to submit the revised bid after the financial assumptions have been scrutinised by the new team of external advisors

5.      The financial implications of proceeding with the bid as set out in section 4.2 of the report are noted and a call has been made for regular monitoring reports to be provided on progress and project expenditure

6.      A report is called for on the way forward for the two estates not included in the PFI project.

Shayley Watson, a tenant in Eastfield and member of the local residents’ association, addressed Cabinet.  She wanted to know the details of the proposed refurbishment programme for the Eastfield estate as she felt that residents of both Thorplands and Eastfield were unaware about the implications of PFI.  She did not feel that there had been a good representation of residents at the recent exhibitions.

Councillor Palethorpe then addressed Cabinet.  He accepted that external funding was necessary to stop houses falling below the decent homes standard and urged Cabinet to ensure that full consultation be carried out so that there were no unnecessary delays.  He went on to express his disappointment that Bellinge had not been included in the project, although he understood the reasons why Thorplands had been selected.  He pointed out the risk of a void while the transformation took place and asked for information about the use of profits from infill developments.

Councillor Hawkins, as ward councillor for Eastfield, addressed Cabinet and was delighted that Eastfield should now have its needs addressed proactively. She pointed out that the Housing Strategy consultation had helped to inform why the PFI was the answer to the proposed transformation of some estates.  She appealed to officers to meet with residents in the community to progress the consultation process.  She then warned that if this council did not take up the opportunity of securing the PFI bid, then there were other councils that would step in.

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet expressing his continuing confusion over the whole meaning of PFI. He was still not convinced why these particular estates had been chosen and suggested that a pepper-potting approach may have been a better response to the decent homes ambition. He felt that Bellinge had the worst housing stock although its residents appeared to have a better social quality of life.  He hoped there would be a sensible debate regarding the financial impact and urged that such estates as Bellinge, Blackthorn, Spring Boroughs and St James were not overlooked in the quest to reach the decent homes standard.

At this point, the Chair thanked the Interim Housing Advisor, who was attending his last Cabinet meeting, having helped move Housing issues in the right direction.

As Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Beardsworth presented the report to Cabinet.  She shared in Councillor Palethorpe’s disappointment that only two estates could benefit but pointed out that a reduction in the available funding had meant that a selection process had been necessary.  The report set out full details of the consultation so far with the result that Eastfield and Thorplands had emerged as being the best combination that was affordable within the PFI.  The assets would remain in council ownership and secure tenants would remain.  Work would be carried out within communities to develop the plans and it was made clear that regeneration was not possible without outside funding. In response to Councillor Palethorpe’s query about profits from infill developments, Councillor Beardsworth commented that any decision as to its use would be made by Cabinet as appropriate

Councillor B Hoare explained that all councillors had been invited to a briefing the previous day that had set out all the details of the proposal.  Further details would be communicated as they emerged. Detailed questions about the finer points of the developments would be answered once the money had been secured and the proposals had been considered.

Councillor Perkins commented that there was a continuing expression of interest and that when funding opportunities arose, decisions could be made about work towards decent homes.

Councillor Church pointed out that the proposal was not simply for internal improvements to property but was essentially for the transformation of whole estates.

Councillor B Markham commented on a transformational change in Bellinge a number of years ago that had gone a long way to improve the estate and the attitude of its residents.

RESOLVED

1.      That Cabinet note the work of external advisors in producing assessment criteria to assist in producing a scaled back Expression of Interest in PFI.

2.      That a decision be made, in the light of the reports on the scaled back bid and the revised financial implications whether to proceed with the PFI project.

3.      That approval be given to the inclusion of Eastfield and Thorplands estates in the scaled back bid.

4.      That the Director of Housing be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to submit the revised bid after the financial assumptions have been scrutinised by the new team of external advisors

5.      That Cabinet note the financial implications of proceeding with the bid as set out in section 4.2 of the report and a call be made for regular monitoring reports to be provided on progress and project expenditure

6.      That Cabinet call for a report on the way forward for the two estates not included in the PFI project.