This report advises on the implications for Council decision making in light of the Court of Appeal’s decision of 11 May 2016 regarding the Ministerial Statement of November 2014.  It recommends reintroduction of the Council’s policy to implement a lower threshold triggering the requirement for affordable housing and tariff style contributions on sites of six or more units in ‘designated rural areas’.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will recommend that Council adopts the lower threshold triggering the requirement to make cash payments towards the provision of affordable housing schemes of between 6 and 10 units for those parts of the District that are Designated Rural Areas and that the change is then publicised.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided information on the Court of Appeal’s decision of 11 May 2016 regarding the Ministerial Statement of November 2014, the related changes to national policy and the implications for Council decision making.

The report recommended the introduction of the Council’s policy to implement a lower threshold triggering the requirement for affordable housing and tariff style contributions on sites of six or more units in ‘designated rural areas’.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

The Council should ensure that it gives the appropriate weight to the Ministerial Statement in light of the Court of Appeal decision.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that the lower threshold triggering the requirement to make cash payments towards the provision of affordable housing schemes of between 6 and 10 units for those parts of the District that are Designated Rural Areas be adopted and that the change is then publicised.