An apology for absence was received from Councillor Nigel Lumby.

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Councillor Jon Tandy noted that one of the sites referred to in agenda item 10 (Cornovii Developments Limited - Exempt Items Update Report) was near his home.  

To confirm the minutes of the Housing Supervisory Board meeting held on 20^th March 2025 and 22^nd May 2025.

Contact: Shelley Davies on 01743 257718

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th March and 22^nd May 2025 be approved as a true record.

To receive any public questions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14. The deadline for this meeting is 12.00 pm, Friday 30^th May 2025.

A public question was received from:

John Palmer, in relation to Cornovii Developments Ltd.

The full question and response provided can be found on:   HSB 05.06.25 - Public Question with response.pdf

To receive any public questions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14. The deadline for this meeting is 12.00 pm, Friday 30th May 2025.

There were no member questions.

To receive a presentation on Cornovii Developments Limited

The Managing Director gave a presentation which provided an overview of Cornovii Developments Limited, explaining its purpose, governance structure, and the roles of the Housing Supervisory Board, CDL board, and CDL team.

In response to questions the Managing Director confirmed that:

·       The Housing Supervisory Board was responsible for appointing the chairman of CDL and explained that the process involved.

·       The lettings policy and key contacts for CDL would be circulated to members after the meeting.

·       CDL was exploring innovative housing solutions, such as launching a "help to own" product in partnership with private investors and a nationwide lender, allowing tenants to save for a deposit and purchase a property after three years, with mortgage costs aligned to current rent payments.

·       Most properties were built using a timber frame to allow for future adaptations such as hoists and were therefore "homes for life".

·       A timeline of CDL’s company history, including board appointments, setup, first house sale, and site completions, would be shared after the meeting.

·       CDL had built 124 homes to date and currently had 84 homes under construction at the London Road site, with additional planning applications for 386 homes and about 220 more in the pipeline.

·       The completed homes included a mix of open market, private rented, and affordable units and development was focussed on challenging regeneration sites that often required external intervention and funding.

·       A dedicated member briefing to allow board members to ask detailed questions and gain a deeper understanding of CDL's operations, history, and financials would be arranged before the next scheduled meeting.

·       CDL started with an original £14 million loan at the beginning of the company, which later became a revolving loan facility with a 10-year timeframe.

·       CDL operated with a very small team, currently about 4.5 full-time equivalent staff, which meant overheads were kept low. It was agreed that the latest operating costs would be provided after the meeting.

RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.

To receive the Cornovii Developments Limited Update Report from the Assistant Director, Commissioning.  [Report attached]

Contact: Laura Tyler

Members received the report of the Assistant Director - Joint Commissioning which gave an update from Cornovii Developments Limited (CDL) on the company’s progress against the approved 10-year Business Plan. 

The Strategic Housing & Commissioning Manager introduced the report and referred to Appendix A which provided detail of the company’s activity to the end of March 2025, noting that CDL was on track to deliver 582 homes over the 10-year business plan, with 21% forecast as affordable housing.

In response to a question from a member the Strategic Housing & Commissioning Manager confirmed that there were two specialist accommodation units located on London Road commissioned for clients with learning disabilities.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To resolve in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.4[3] of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules, the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following item.

          RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and paragraph 10.4(3) of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules, the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following items.

To confirm the exempt minutes of the Housing Supervisory Board meeting held on 20^th March 2025.

RESOLVED:  

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 20^th March 2025 be approved as a true record.

To receive the Cornovii Developments Limited Exempt Items Update Report from the Assistant Director, Commissioning.  [Exempt report attached]

Contact: Laura Tyler

Members received an exempt report from the Assistant Director - Joint Commissioning.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Housing Supervisory Board will be held at 2.00 p.m. on 18^th September 2025.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Housing Supervisory Board would be held at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 18th September 2025.