The Regeneration and Major Projects Service Manager has submitted a report asking the Cabinet to note the progress made with the development of Barton Park by the Joint Venture and to note the update in relation to the purchase of the affordable housing.

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Note the progress made by Barton Oxford LLP in bringing forward development at Barton Park;

2.    Note the current financial position in relation to potential payments from the Joint Venture;

3.    Note the progress of the purchase of affordable housing on the site and the arrangements between the Council and its Housing Company (OCHIL) for ownership; and

4.    Require quarterly reports to be made to the Council’s Shareholder body (which will have an expanded remit to receive reports from companies and joint ventures which do not have shareholders, such as Barton Oxford LLP) on the overall progress of the Barton Park development, to include information on overall delivery of housing, with particular reference to social rented homes, and the financial performance of the project in general.

The Regeneration and Major Projects Service Manager had submitted a report asking the Cabinet to note the progress made with the development of Barton Park by the Joint Venture and to note the update in relation to the purchase of the affordable housing.

The Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing, Councillor Mike Rowley reminded the Cabinet about the origins of the housing development in Barton and its ambition to provide 40% of affordable housing  for social rent. 35 homes had now been let and occupied with a further 60 planned by the end of the year.  Good progress was being made with the community facilities as part of the development and the new pavilion and sports facilities have been handed over to the Council. Great importance was attached to helping new residents to integrate with current Barton residents. The report sought to require quarterly reports on progress to the Council’s Shareholder.

It was agreed that care and clarity were needed when using the expressions ‘affordable housing’ and ‘social housing’ which were frequently misunderstood.

It discussion it was noted that the project had not been without its challenges but it was good that the obstacles had been overcome to deliver a scheme that accorded with the Council’s values. While there had been some delays, this was not unexpected given the state of the local building market and the associated skills/capacity shortage and the high standards demanded for this project.

The Chair sought reassurance that  the rights and opportunities available to Council tenants  would also be available to the new tenants at Barton given that they were, strictly, tenants of the Oxford City Housing (Investment) Limited. The Head of Housing said work was being done to develop a scheme which would align with the essential ingredients of the Council scheme. In the interim, there were discussions at the allocation stage to ensure that new residents would be able to cope at the outset. The Head of Housing also confirmed that service charges for communal areas and outside spaces were eligible housing costs for the purposes of Universal Credit.

 Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Note the progress made by Barton Oxford LLP in bringing forward development at Barton Park;

2.    Note the current financial position in relation to potential payments from the Joint Venture;

3.    Note the progress of the purchase of affordable housing on the site and the arrangements between the Council and its Housing Company (OCHIL) for ownership; and

4.    Require quarterly reports to be made to the Council’s Shareholder body (which will have an expanded remit to receive reports from companies and joint ventures which do not have shareholders, such as Barton Oxford LLP) on the overall progress of the Barton Park development, to include information on overall delivery of housing, with particular reference to social rented homes, and the financial performance of the project in general.