Issue - meetings

The Committee is asked to approve the draft Housing Delivery Action Plan.

The Committee approved the Housing Delivery Action Plan

The Draft Delivery Action Plan identifies 24 actions designed to drive increased housing delivery in the Borough.  The Action Plan is required by Government as a result of the Borough failing to deliver 95% Housing delivery for the previous three years.  The Housing Delivery Test result identified that the Borough achieved 57% of the requirement placing it 22^nd (in terms of under performing) in a list of 105 authorities who are also obliged to prepare an action plan.

It was acknowledged that in light of the high housing requirement it was likely that the Council would fail the Housing Delivery Test (which would be carried out annually) for a number of years and until it could be demonstrated that 95% of the housing had been delivered in addition to this a 20% buffer would be applied to the five year land supply figure until the Council can demonstrate 85% of the housing has been delivered.  Whilst it was not possible to predict when a five year housing supply would be achieved, Officers reiterated their commitment to working with members to implement the actions set out in the plan.

The Committee noted the contributing causes for under-delivery and considered the actions required to stimulate growth, and the following points were raised:

·                     Action 1 – Clarification sought on the member representative for the LEP

·                     Action 2 -  Clarification sought on the Epsom Property Network

·                     Action 12 – Whilst is was noted that a policy statement had been published regarding the efficient use of land for optimising housing delivery, it was agreed to add a further statement on the website clarifying the position height restrictions.

·                     Action 17 – Officers confirmed that it was not possible to predict CIL contributions until a Strategic Development Viability Assessment had been carried out

·                     Action 22 – It was confirmed that the existing Car park working group would be involved in the preparation of a Car Park Strategy aimed at identifying any spare land capacity to deliver additional housing.

Accordingly, the Committee approved the Housing Delivery Action Plan

Postscript:  Following the meeting information was submitted regarding Actions 1 and 2, as follows:

Action 1:  There is no members representation from Epsom & Ewell.  The members of the Coast to Capital board can be found on their webpage:

https://www.coast2capital.org.uk/the-board/

Action 2:  The Epsom Property Network is organised by Peacocks  & Co Solictors. It is an event held every quarter at different venues around the Borough. It aims to bring together those in property industry in Epsom, attendees include commercial property agents / owners; estate agents; property lawyers; property finance brokers. The meeting is attended by senior officers of the Council.