The Director of Economy, Regeneration and Sustainability has submitted a report to Cabinet that requests project approval and delegations to progress the development of affordable homes at Cave Street. This includes delegated authority to enter into build contracts and other necessary agreements and associated development costs, virement of HRA capital funds and the approval to commence the process regarding the appropriation of land from the General Fund (“GF”) to the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”) (changing the statutory basis on which it is held by the Council).

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.    Grant project approval to finalise the scheme design, to the proposals to enter into build contracts and any other necessary agreements or contracts and incur associated development cost spends, as set out in this report, and within the allocated HRA capital budgets and business plan, for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford;

2.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to enter into build contracts and any other necessary agreements or contracts to facilitate the development within the identified budget, for the provision of additional affordable housing;

3.    Grant approval for a virement within the HRA capital budget for scheme costs of £5.9 million. The virement will be from the “Properties purchased from OCHL” (Oxford City Housing Limited) purchase line into a new scheme line to be profiled to match the build programme across the four years from 2025/26 to 2028/29;

4.    Recommend to Council the appropriation of the land owned by Oxford City Council (OCC) at Cave Street from the General Fund (GF) into the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

Cabinet resolved to:

1. Grant project approval to finalise the scheme design, to the proposals to enter into build contracts and any other necessary agreements or contracts and incur associated development cost spends, as set out in this report, and within the allocated HRA capital budgets and business plan, for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford;
2. Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to enter into build contracts and any other necessary agreements or contracts to facilitate the development within the identified budget, for the provision of additional affordable housing;
3. Grant approval for a virement within the HRA capital budget for scheme costs of £5.9 million. The virement will be from the “Properties purchased from OCHL” (Oxford City Housing Limited) purchase line into a new scheme line to be profiled to match the build programme across the four years from 2025/26 to 2028/29;
4. Recommend to Council the appropriation of the land owned by Oxford City Council (OCC) at Cave Street from the General Fund (GF) into the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The Director of Economy, Regeneration and Sustainability had submitted a report to Cabinet that requests project approval and delegations to progress the development of affordable homes at Cave Street. This includes delegated authority to enter into build contracts and other necessary agreements and associated development costs, virement of HRA capital funds and the approval to commence the process regarding the appropriation of land from the General Fund (“GF”) to the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”) (changing the statutory basis on which it is held by the Council).

Councillor Linda Smith introduced the report, noting that the site was owned by the City Council with proposals to develop at least 19 homes, more if achievable. She further noted that this development would be 100% affordable housing.

Dave Scholes, Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead, added that proposed development for this site focuses heavily on one-bedroom homes. Whilst Elsfield would be more mixed, this as well as the site on Between Town Road would provide a number of one-bedroom units directly feeding into the reports and pressures heard earlier to address the need for single bedroom properties and relieving the pressure of using B&B accommodation for homeless households.

Councillor Chapman offered a general observation, noting that across the four reports considered, the schemes represented a substantial contribution towards meeting the Council’s target of delivering 1600 affordable homes by March 2029, including 850 for social rent. He remarked that few councils nationally appeared on track to meet such ambitious targets and suggested that some recognition should be taken from this progress. He commended officers for their work in identifying potential development sites across the city and surrounding areas, including smaller sites which taken together, contribute significantly to overall target. He emphasised that this effort by the lead member and officers should not go unacknowledged.

Councillor Brown endorsed these comments, highlighting the value of seeing affordable homes for social rent being delivered in the city. She expressed thanks to officers for their work and noted that these achievements reflected positively especially when showcased to visitors.

Cabinet moved to closed session to discuss matters within the exempt portions of the report. This is in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 that could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Cabinet moved back to open session to conclude the item.

Cabinet resolved to:

1. Grant project approval to finalise the scheme design, to the proposals to enter into build contracts and any other necessary agreements or contracts and incur associated development cost spends, as set out in this report, and within the allocated HRA capital budgets and business plan, for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford;
2. Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to enter into build contracts and any other necessary agreements or contracts to facilitate the development within the identified budget, for the provision of additional affordable housing;
3. Grant approval for a virement within the HRA capital budget for scheme costs of £5.9 million. The virement will be from the “Properties purchased from OCHL” (Oxford City Housing Limited) purchase line into a new scheme line to be profiled to match the build programme across the four years from 2025/26 to 2028/29;
4. Recommend to Council the appropriation of the land owned by Oxford City Council (OCC) at Cave Street from the General Fund (GF) into the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).