The Housing and City Development Scrutiny Committee of Nottingham City Council discussed the development of the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan (GNSP) and the Council's response to the new national Consumer Standards for social housing. Key decisions included requesting detailed information on housing types and tenures, recommending contingency planning for housing targets, and advocating for effective business cases for strategic developments.

Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan

Sajeeda Rose, Corporate Director for Growth and City Development, and Matt Gregory, Head of Planning Strategy and Geographic Information, presented the development of the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan (GNSP). The GNSP is a collaborative effort by the Local Authorities of Broxtowe, Gedling, Rushcliffe, and Nottingham to prepare a statutory Local Plan. It will replace the current Aligned Core Strategy and cover strategic planning matters, including housing provision, employment, environmental impacts, and transport priorities.

The plan proposes 52,710 new homes within the GNSP area, with half expected in Nottingham. However, due to geographical constraints and developed land, Nottingham anticipates a shortfall of around 6,000 homes against the Government's 30% uplift target. The partner Councils argue they cannot support this shortfall due to greenbelt land restrictions. The GNSP will present this shortfall during the public examination process.

The Committee raised concerns about infrastructure adequacy, carbon neutrality ambitions, and the housing mix. An Infrastructure Delivery Plan has been developed to address infrastructure needs, including transport. The GNSP will support carbon neutrality through sustainable building materials and electric vehicle charging provisions. The housing mix will be balanced to reflect city needs and market demand.

The Committee resolved to request information on housing types and tenures, recommend contingency planning for housing targets, and advocate for effective business cases for strategic developments.

Consumer Standards for Social Housing

Councillor Jay Hayes, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Sajeeda Rose, and Geoff Wharton, Consultant Strategic Director of Housing, presented the Council's response to the new national Consumer Standards for social housing. Following the Grenfell Tower fire, the Government introduced new standards focusing on building safety, transparency, and tenant engagement. The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) will enforce these standards from April 2024.

Since bringing Nottingham City Homes (NCH) in-house, the Council has reviewed housing delivery aspects and developed an Action Plan using the Housing Quality Network (HQN) Toolkit. A full stock condition survey is underway to address inherited issues. A new Housing Assurance Board (HAB) has been established to strengthen tenant voices.

The Committee discussed the Council's strengths and weaknesses in meeting the standards, improvements since bringing NCH in-house, and benefits for tenants. The stock condition survey will inform future investment plans, and contractors will address disrepair and maintenance issues. The Committee emphasized the importance of local commissioning and best value from contractors.

The Committee resolved to request notification of the first RSH inspection, information on the stock condition survey outcomes, and recommend rapid work to avoid technical failures affecting the RSH inspection rating. They also recommended investment in an enhanced IT system for integrated issue management.

Work Programme

The Chair presented the Committee's completed Work Programme for the 2023/24 municipal year. The Committee noted the responses of the Portfolio Holders to its recommendations and the completed Work Programme.