Council and democracy

Decision details

Thurrock Regeneration Limited (TRL)

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

Councillor Gledhill, Leader of the Council, presented the report that set out the ambitious and exciting vision for the development of new homes in Thurrock through the Council owned company, Thurrock Regeneration Ltd (TRL). The paper proposed a significant up-scaling of the role of TRL and sought the agreement from Council to provide the necessary finance for TRL to deliver 1,000 homes in the next five years, 35% of which would be affordable and available for residents on the Council’s housing needs register. That the approach would enable the Council to directly support the delivery of high quality new homes.

 

Councillor Snell thanked the Leader for the report and agreed that the Thurrock Regeneration Limited was a good scheme but questioned was it ambitious enough and had consideration been given to off-site construction that would allow for more affordable homes.

 

Councillor Gerrish stated that he would be voting in favour of the recommendations but had one big caveat. That providing affordable houses in Thurrock was affordable to Thurrock residents. That the ambition and approach of the Council should be to explore the best options for Thurrock residents.

 

Councillor Duffin had concerns that recommendation 1.3 could be open to legal challenge and questioned why local business were not being offered to make bids.

 

Councillor Spillman stated his support for the recommendations but questioned had the report been ambitious enough for possible future expansion and asked for reassurances that this was a reality and not just aspirations of the administration.

 

Councillor Kerin welcomed the report but had concerns over the affordability for Thurrock residents on average wages and asked what guarantee that the homes would form part of the Council Stock and would become Council houses for those residents in need.

 

Councillor Redsell stated that this was a brilliant scheme and would be voting in favour.

 

Councillor Halden stated that the report was exciting and explained to Members that Gloriana had not worked due to the scheme being delivered late and over budget. That a housing release stock of 1000 new homes would be in place with Thurrock Regeneration Limited and the expertise would grow as the projects got bigger.

 

Councillor B Rice welcomed and commended the scheme but stated that investments were needed for the benefit of Thurrock residents. That the St Chad site was not affordable housing for the average paid resident and looked forward to seeing the third truly affordable homes in Thurrock.

 

Councillor Coxshall stated that regeneration on brown fill sites was awkward to build on and that the Council should take advantage of Thurrock Regeneration Limited to build on these sites compared to those private companies who do not want to. That Thurrock Regeneration Limited has a long term commitment and that land could be released immediately. That the report demonstrated a very strong message that the administration would build high quality Council homes.

 

Councillor Hebb stated that this was the second report presented this evening that was good news for the residents of Thurrock. Those residents were proud to live in the borough and want their families to remain close by in the future. That the Council continually builds good quality homes in the borough and brown fill sites could be used to do this.

 

Councillor G Rice stated his support for the scheme but highlighted realistic affordable rent would be between £600 to £800 per month. That it was pleasing that Council houses were being built for those residents that want to live in the borough but cannot currently afford to do so.

 

Councillor Gledhill replied to Members questions.

 

That the use of off-site construction would be a good process going forward to free up sites.

 

That affordability of new homes was subjective and that Thurrock Regeneration Limited would need to build this criterion into their business models. The price of affordable housing was subject to a market test.

 

That the selling of land would stop land banking.

 

The Mayor called a vote on the recommendations.

 

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously in favour of the recommendations, whereupon the Mayor declared the recommendations carried.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Council:

 

1.         Financially commits to supporting Thurrock Regeneration Ltd (TRL) in its objective of delivering 1,000 new homes in the Borough by the end of 2022/23;

 

2.         That this support be made available on the basis that the conditions set out in the report are met and the governance procedures are followed;

 

3.         Agree that any general fund sites designated for release by the Council for housing be offered to TRL in the first instance;

 

4.         In line with the investment principles agreed by Council on 25 October 2017, the Director of Finance and IT be delegated the authority to enter into site specific funding agreements with TRL; and

 

5.         Asks the Board of TRL to formally consider the Council’s offer.

Publication date: 15/03/2018

Date of decision: 28/02/2018

Decided at meeting: 28/02/2018 - Council

Accompanying Documents: