Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Head of Finance and Housing.

The Affordable Housing Delivery report was presented by the Housing Development Manager.

Members requested that a definition of affordable housing be circulated as it was felt this would be useful in understanding what type of housing was to be delivered.

A view was expressed that the council could make substantial savings using local contractors rather than larger companies who would often sub-contract to local companies to do the work for less than the value of the original contract. Members were advised that the council tried to reduce bureaucracy wherever possible to help local businesses apply for contracts with the council. It was suggested that the committee receive a report to a future meeting on local business usage by the Council.

The Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) advised that different definitions of a ‘local business’ would include/exclude different businesses. The example was cited of a national business with a local billing address and whether this should be defined as a ‘local business’.

RESOLVED:       That it be recommended to the Cabinet that the recommendations as set out in the report, and in Cabinet Decision CAB4, be agreed as follows:

That the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health, be authorised to take all necessary actions to develop and deliver an increased programme of affordable housing by Dover District Council, both by direct delivery and via registered providers and community organisations.

(Cllr S C Manion joined the meeting at the start of this item of business)

To consider the attached report of the Head of Finance and Housing.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health

It was agreed that the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health, be authorised to take all necessary actions to develop and deliver an increased programme of affordable housing by Dover District Council, both by direct delivery and via registered providers and community organisations.