In recent years following the self-financing settlement of 2012,
councils have started to build new council housing - many for the
first time in over 20 years. The recent announcement by the
government of the availability of funding in the Affordable Housing
Programme for the provision of new social rented housing may see
these new build programmes accelerate over the next few years.
Many councils recognise the need to build up skills and
expertise in the development of new council housing and we are
looking to establish an information sharing network for those
councils who are, or who are considering, developing and building
new council housing.
Many local authorities are building up their development
programmes for new council housing including ARCH member Luton
Borough Council. Luton are keen to support an information sharing
network for developing councils and we are interested to know
whether other councils would be interested in setting up such a
network.
Such a network could bring together staff to share experiences
on issues such as development processes, scheme appraisal, site
assembly, partnering options, contracting and strategic approaches
to development. It's an opportunity for councils who are just
getting started in setting up their new build programme to learn
from each other and from those who have more established
development arrangements.
If your council is interested in getting involved, please
contact John Bibby (john.bibby@arch-housing.org.uk)