Agenda item

For information: To receive a presentation on the Homes England Strategic Plan 2023-2028

Catherine Turner, Head, Markets Partners and Places – South at Homes England and Sian Carter, Oxfordshire Lead at Homes England gave a presentation on Homes England’s Strategic Plan 2023-2028 as set out within the Agenda. It was highlighted that the Strategy set out Homes England’s vision as HM Government’s housing and delivery agency to create high quality homes and thriving places across England.

The Chair welcomed the presentation and invited members of the Partnership to make comments and ask questions.

Councillor Andy Graham spoke of the need to build a long term sustainable relationship between Homes England and the Future Oxfordshire Partnership that went beyond 2028 given the Partnership’s ambitions which extended to 2040 and beyond. He also commented that there were around 675,000 unlet properties which could be unlocked to provide additional small, rented accommodation. As a country, he felt the United Kingdom could learn from the private rent sector approaches and practices of countries such as Sweden and Germany.

The Chair spoke of the need for the provision of affordable homes, such as those at affordable rents as well as those built for private ownership, or shared ownership as home ownership in these forms was out of reach of many people within Oxfordshire. She sought clarification that there had not been a shift in emphasis within Homes England towards homes for ownership.

In response to these points, Catherine Tuner commented that the policy points made about unlet private rented sector were well made and that as a delivery agency Home England could take these points back by for discussion with the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities. With regard to the provision of affordable homes for rent there had not been a change in emphasis and Homes England’s objective was to seek to deliver the right kind of housing tenure in the right places.

Councillor Liz Leffman referred to the provision of key infrastructure to unlock housing development. A number of housing sites coming forward within Oxfordshire were very car dependent and she questioned whether other types of infrastructure might become available to reduce car dependency and increase connectivity to public transport. Mobility hubs within developments were also a possible measure. Health infrastructure was another connected issue.

Nigel Tipple referred to investment strategy and the extent to which Oxfordshire through collaboration might engage in a conversation with Homes England around how Homes England investment might potentially sit alongside other investments, (for example via pension funds) to drive a programme of social rented and share ownership housing stock. In addition, was there a current opportunity to think about land and property assembly in the private rented sector.

Councillor David Rouane welcomed Homes England’s focus on regeneration and referred to the joint project between Homes England and South Oxfordshire District Council to redevelop land opposite Didcot railway station that was already in progress.

Catherine Turner informed the meeting that Homes England was still reflecting on the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ speech on the 24 July in which he had made a number of announcements which related to HM Government’s priorities and approach to housing and regeneration. This had included a new Brownfield infrastructure and land programme and how this might fit with the type of infrastructure that Councillor Leffman had outlined could be explored further.

Homes England was open to looking into working with local funding partners to develop joint local housing schemes by looking at where equity and match funding could potentially be applied through joint funds to support local priorities around different forms of tenure.

With regard to strategic acquisition, Homes England had done this in some places, for example, Blackpool. This was resource intensive and to be able to progress this type of activity within Oxfordshire it would be necessary to establish that local partners were fully committed to housing, economic growth and infrastructure delivery through a strong collaborative partnership.

Councillor Barry Wood referred to the need for continued strong leadership and engagement with Homes England. Despite the slight refocussing of some of the agency’s priorities, its core business and priorities remained unchanged. In his view Oxfordshire had been able to demonstrate strong leadership and a commitment to partnership working and this should continue.

It was important to understand the provision of extra homes alone was not enough as sustainable communities were also required. This meant getting the setting of homes right with regard to access to open spaces and social infrastructure as well as physical infrastructure. It was a significant responsibility to get these challenges right. There was an absolute need for partnership working between developers and local planning authorities and between the Partnership and Home England.

The Chair concluded the discussion by suggesting that it was important not to overly focus on arriving on definitions such as ‘key workers’ as the pandemic had demonstrated how difficult it was to do so. The important point was there should be as wide a range of housing tenures available as possible so as to ensure there was a diverse mix of people able to live in a given area. In her view there was value in looking at affordable rent models and in lobbying HM Government with regard to issues within the short term letting market.

RESOVED: That the presentation be noted.