The Group Manager Housing & Regeneration reported on the demolition works undertaken by V2C and the measures they and the Council have undertaken with regard to the provision of new and affordable housing.  She stated that V2C had informed the Council they continually examine the demand and condition of their housing stock, which had resulted in a number of individual option appraisals being undertaken on properties within their estates.  In some cases properties had been demolished if it had been determined to be the last viable option for these properties.  Demolition of properties had occurred on a number of estates within V2C’s ownership and who had separately developed over 30 units of accommodation of a mixed tenure on their own land.  V2C was also developing 23 units of social housing at Porthcawl and Cornelly and secured planning consent for the development of 18 units in Maesteg.                   

The Group Manager Housing & Regeneration informed the Forum that in addition to the works undertaken by V2C, the Council had identified and supported a number of schemes for development by other Registered Social Landlords funded by Social Housing Grant provided by the Welsh Government, with 70 units of accommodation programmed for development in 2015/16 and over 110 units identified for future development. 

The Group Manager Housing & Regeneration also informed the Forum that there continued to be a high demand for affordable housing, however due to the scarcity of resources, new affordable housing would be targeted to those areas and property types where the need is greatest.  Due to the changes to the welfare system it was envisaged that there would be a considerable increase in the need for smaller or single person accommodation.  The Council would continue to negotiate new affordable housing contributions via Section 106 agreements on new development sites to meet the requirements of the adopted Local Development Plan. 

The Group Manager Housing & Regeneration informed the Forum that there was growing interest in new and innovative funding models which incorporate institutional investment to build affordable housing, which was currently being assessed.

The Chief Executive of V2C informed the Forum of the role of V2C which is to improve the condition of its housing stock and it also focused on replacing its housing stock and developing more affordable housing.  It also took advantage of the availability of Social Housing Grant but was at present undertaking a development of 116 units of mixed tenure housing known as Wood Green at Chelsea Avenue, Cefn Glas from its own resources and in partnership with Bellway Homes without the use of Social Housing Grant. 

The Forum referred to the number of properties demolished and developed by V2C which had left a shortfall of approximately 160 properties and expressed its concern that affordable was not being developed fast enough in order to meet the demand.  The Chief Executive of V2C informed the Forum that some properties were required to be demolished in order to facilitate the construction of new properties and ideally V2C aspired to have more properties.  He stated that some properties require a great deal of money to be spent on their repair.  He informed the Forum that V2C had until recently had a modest development programme but he was hoping that its Board would today sign up to a development programme of £25m of 600 properties to be built across the County Borough over the next 10 years. 

A member of the Forum questioned the location of the flats in Maes Felin, Wildmill which had been demolished.  The Chief Executive of V2C informed the Forum that the flats which had been demolished were the 4 storey blocks which had low demand and in poor condition with anti-social behaviour in the area.  He stated that the remaining blocks had been refurbished.  He undertook to provide Members with details of the blocks in Maes Felin which had been refurbished and those which had been demolished. 

In response to a question from the Forum, the Chief Executive of V2C stated that the ‘bedroom tax’ had affected 1,300 tenants of V2C and that a small percentage of tenants had effected a move to alternative accommodation with the majority staying in their present homes. 

A member of the Forum questioned whether V2C was satisfied that affordable housing developments had been sufficient through Section 106 Agreements.  The Chief Executive of V2C informed the Forum that V2C has good working relationships with the Council and whilst it would prefer to see more affordable housing being built, it had recently been the recipients of funding from the sale of the former Christie Tyler site to purchase 3 properties. 

A member of the Forum questioned whether sites which had empty stock would be offered for development in order to bring them back into use.  The Group Manager Housing & Regeneration informed the Forum that grants were offered through the private sector renewal policy where properties had been empty for 6 months to bring them back into use and in return the Council require nominations from the waiting list.  An empty property loan was administered on behalf of the Welsh Government but this had not proven successful as developers were required to repay the loan.  Grant money had been targeted towards owners of empty properties in order to stimulate new development.  The Group Manager Housing & Regeneration informed the Forum that the Council had developed a housing allocations policy and as a result of new initiatives which had been developed the Council had avoided putting a family into bed and breakfast accommodation which had been a very positive outcome.                                           

RESOLVED:                     That the Forum noted the report.