Decision

RESOLVED to recommend that full Council:

i.                     Adopts the Housing Asset Management, Development and Growth Delivery Plan 2026 2056 as the operational, costed programme that delivers the Strategy recommended by Cabinet.

ii.                   To note that the Plan is underpinned by the 30-Year HRA Business Plan 2026–56, which confirms that the investment programme it sets out is affordable and sustainable within the Council's prudential and reserve limits.

iii.                  Approves the five-year delivery programme for 2026/27 to 2030/31 set out in the Plan as the basis for the Council's annual HRA capital programme, with individual annual budgets confirmed through the normal budget-setting process.

iv.                 Endorses the development and acquisition pipeline set out in the Plan, including the approved Section 106 scheme of 14 homes for Social Rent at Braintree Road, Great Dunmow, and continued feasibility work on the sites identified at Saffron Walden, Great Dunmow and Takeley, with individual schemes brought back for approval as they pass the viability gateway.

v.                   Notes the Key Performance Indicator suite set out in the Plan and the Council's commitment to quarterly reporting of delivery and performance to the Housing Board and Cabinet.

vi.                 Authorises officers, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to review and refresh the Plan annually alongside the Strategy and the Business Plan, and to undertake a fuller review on material change in regulation, finance, stock condition, housing need or organisational structure, including the transition to the West Essex unitary authority. 

Reasons for the decision

The report sought a Cabinet recommendation to full Council regarding the adoption of the Housing Asset Management, Development and Growth Delivery Plan 2026–2056 ("the Plan"), the operational, costed and time-bound companion to the Housing Asset Management, Development and Growth Strategy 2026–2056 ("the Strategy") adopted by Cabinet. Where the Strategy sets the Council's direction, priorities and investment principles, the Plan sets out how much will be invested, in what, and when. 

Alternative options considered

None.