As reported in the previous bulletin, discussions regarding the
government's proposals for Bespoke Housing Deals have resumed
following the General Election.
Following a meeting with Housing Minister Gavin Barwell in
November, at which ARCH argued the case for increased flexibilities
in HRA funding to enable councils to build, the idea of "Bespoke
Housing Deals" was outlined in the Housing White Paper and was
further underlined in the Conservative Party Manifesto which
promised that a Conservative Government would: "enter into new
Council Housing Deals with ambitious, pro-development local
authorities to help them build more social housing".
Discussions
to date with DCLG officials have been based around proposals
from three "pathfinder" organisations (Sheffield City Council,
Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Newark and Sherwood Homes) and a
further meeting was held with DCLG on 30 June.
Details of the proposals were discussed at this meeting and
further ongoing work was agreed. The next meeting with DCLG has
been scheduled for early September. It is not anticipated that any
formal announcements on the general framework and conditions for
Bespoke Housing Deals will be made until the Autumn - possibly in
advance of or in conjunction with the Autumn Budget Statement.
We will keep members advised as these discussions progress. In
the meantime any ARCH member interested in pursuing the option of
entering a Bespoke Housing Deal are encouraged to contact John
Bibby, ARCH chief executive at john.bibby@arch-housing.org.uk.