Agenda item

A report was presented detailing the outcomes from initial work on the SCR Housing Review.  The report requested the Board to provide initial comments on the Review and support further consultation being undertaken over Summer to inform a proposed response to the Review recommendations for consideration by the MCA in the Autumn.

The Board was reminded that they had been tasked by the Mayor with overseeing the development of a SCR Housing Review.  Overall, the Review was intended to take a fresh look at housing across the city region, with no pre-defined ideas or assumptions.  It sought to address some of the more open-ended questions on housing and develop findings and recommendations that can be used by the Mayor, the Combined Authority and individual districts to support the delivery of the right housing, in the right places, and of the right quality and price for local communities.

Think Tank Respublica was commissioned to undertake the work and offer a fresh perspective and new insights on the issues being considered by the Review.  An independent Advisory Panel was also established to inform the Review.

The Board received a presentation from Respublica covering the headlines from their work on the Housing Review. 

The Board was informed that, Part 1 of their Review was an evidence based approach which highlighted that:

·         the local housing markets are broadly well balanced, however, affordability and quality was still a barrier to many;

·         social mobility was being restricted; and

·         economic performance was being compromised.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was noted that some households would be even more at risk due to tenants being employed in insecure jobs.  Some regions and sectors would see more severe economic contractions.  Additionally, there was a risk of “Urban Flight” to suburbs and demand for “traditional homes”. 

The presentation stated that there would also be big opportunities with regards to a new political settlement and potentially a “Homes Fit for Heroes” programme.  There would need to be a re-thinking of city and town centres and greater value placed on public space and quality design. 

Part 2 of the Review focused on “moving forward” which defined six separate “propositions” all under-pinned by a single message on housing devolution. 

The presentation expressed that there was now a case for devolved housing funds, due to the struggle of attracting private investment on many sites and the City Region and local political priorities not being met through existing funding mechanisms. 

The “ask” of Government would be for a “devolved delivery agreement” for housing to 2025.  Together with an agreement on allocation of housing (and infrastructure) funds and a South Yorkshire wide strategy to ensure outcomes are delivered. 

The presentation provided Members with a detailed overview on the following 6 propositions as follows:-

·         Proposition 1 – Densifying Urban Areas

·         Proposition 2 – Housing Investment Fund

·         Proposition 3 – Private Rental Schemes

·         Proposition 4 – Design & “The Right to Beauty”

·         Proposition 5 – Spatial Planning

·         Proposition 6 – Net Zero Homes and Renewal

The Board was asked to provide their feedback on the outcomes of the Review. 

D Allen stated that he welcomed the report, but, the real challenge would be with regards to inequality and productivity growth.  Additionally, Doncaster MBC had submitted feedback on the propositions to the SCR Team. 

D Gillespie highlighted that Part 2 of the review perhaps needed further clarity around timescales, the housing landscape and links to the evidence base in the Part 1 report.  Some testing of impacts on housing due to the Covid-19 pandemic may be useful.  Additionally, the Review had omitted to include the shared suite of place-based priorities, which would have been helpful. 

P Blond acknowledged the points.  He stated that, he had tried to provide the outcomes and the mechanisms for achieving the proposals within the presentation.  If he was asked to progress work to the next stage, he would look to capture the policy landscape.  He also highlighted that the Devolution “Ask” was not a partnership ask. 

C Blackburn reported that work was ongoing with regards to places.  It was important to capture the views and comments of all partners to co-deliver the desired outcomes in a different way than previously across South Yorkshire. 

Councillor Jones commented that a cautious optimism approach should be taken moving forward and he would look forward to considering the recommendations further.

M Lynam reported that, in terms of the “next steps” of the Review, discussions would take place with Leaders over the Summer period on the initial outcomes.  An update report would then be presented at the September Board meeting. 

The Board thanked P Blond and M Morrin for their presentation. 

RESOLVED – That Board Members:-

1.    Noted the SCR Housing Review. 

2.    Requested that a proposed response to the Review to recommend to the MCA be reported to the next Board meeting, following consultation with Local Authority Leaders over the Summer.