The Head of Housing will submit a report topublish commissioned research into how Community-Led Housing (CLH) could be viably delivered in Oxford; to consider approaches to assisting the development of more Community-Led Housing; and to seek approval to lease the interest in a plot of land, at less than market value for the provision of additional affordable housing.

This report will be published as a supplement to this agenda.

The Head of Housing had submitted a report to publish commissioned research into how Community-Led Housing (CLH) could be viably delivered in Oxford; to consider approaches to assisting the development of more Community-Led Housing; and to seek approval to lease the interest in a plot of land, for the provision of additional affordable housing, paying a grant to enable this.

Councillor Mike Rowley, Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing, introduced the report noting that the small plot of land referred to in the report was unlikely to be suitable for other development but did offer an opportunity to trial this initiative. CLH would provide an addition to social housing. He noted that the one recommendation from the Routes to Delivery report which was not supported by the Council was that S.106 agreements be used to require provision of CLH housing sites on larger developments because of the potential risks that further requirements could place on those developments and hence social housing provision.

Charlie Fisher of Transition by Design addressed Cabinet briefly, noting the significant impact good housing/housing development design could have on health and that this should inform decisions about both. Funding was being sought via the Growth Deal to further development of CLH.

Cabinet commended the report. There was agreement that it was important to think creatively and positively about how communities will work and not, simply, about putting “roofs over peoples’ heads,” important though that was.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Note the Routes to Delivery report and endorse the Council response, supporting the initiatives proposed in response to the recommendations made, and the shared ambition of assisting the development of more Community-Led Housing in Oxford and Oxfordshire;

2.    Delegate authority to the Head of Housing, in consultation with the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to enter into a long lease, for the sum of £35,800, of a plot of land, as detailed in this report, to the Oxfordshire Community Land Trust, or an alternative Registered Provider (within the Oxford Register for Affordable Housing Partnership), for the provision of additional affordable housing in perpetuity; and

3.    Note that the Head of Financial Services will use standing delegations to vire £35,800 of capital funds, to enable the award of a grant to the Oxford Community Land Trust, or an alternative Registered Provider, for that sum, to recompense for the cost of the land.