Agenda item
This City: Progress Update
- Meeting of Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee, Thursday, 23rd June, 2022 2.00 pm (Item 24.)
Report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) attached
This report provides an update on progress of both strategic and scheme specific activities in advance of a further report being presented to the Council’s Executive in September 2022 on the company business plan.
Minutes:
The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) that described that in December 2021, the Executive approved a business case outlining the ambitions and intentions of This City, the Council’s wholly owned housing delivery vehicle.
Key points and themes in the report included:
· Providing an introduction, background and core principles that had driven the creation of This City; and
· Providing an update on progress of both strategic and scheme specific activities in advance of a further report being presented to the Council’s Executive in September 2022 on the company business plan.
Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -
· Supporting the retention of control of rent setting, management and lettings?functions;
· The need to recognise and consider the needs of the changing demographic of those choosing to live in the city centre, particularly families;
· How was Public Realm defined;
· An assurance was sought that the bespoke procurement framework for This City was aligned to the Council’s procurement policy, especially in relation to Social Value and carbon reduction;
· Appropriate provisions of bike storage and parting needed to be included in any consideration of the issue of parking;
· Requesting that Business Plan that was scheduled to be submitted to the Executive in September be shared with the Committee; and
· The need to include a clause in tenancy and all terms of occupation to ensure that these properties were retained and not sold into the private rented sector.
The Executive Member for Housing and Employment said that the issue of the changing demographic of the city centre was recognised by advising that Rodney Street, the first This City scheme to be brought forward as part of the housing delivery vehicle included townhouses that were suitable for families. He further advised that Public Realm would be consistent with the Public Realm strategy and consideration was given to walking and cycling and green space. He further confirmed that bike parking had been considered in the Rodney Street scheme.
The Executive Member for Housing and Employment stated that the ambitions and intentions of This City clearly articulated the commitment to address carbon emissions and could be used to influence partners across this city. He further commented that clauses did exist to prevent these properties entering the private rented sector.
The Interim Director of Housing and Residential Growth informed the Committee that information in relation to tenancy management and maintenance would be shared following the meeting. He further commented that he would discuss with the Chair the most appropriate way for how the Business Plan that was scheduled to be submitted to the Executive in September could be shared with the Committee. He also commented that the bespoke procurement framework for This City did align with the Council’s procurement policy.
The Strategic Director (Growth and Development) informed the Committee that an asset management plan was being developed to centrally record and understand the nature of all land assets owned by the Council and this data would be used to inform future housing schemes and assist with the auditing of all decision making.
Decision
The Committee notes the report.
Supporting documents: