Minutes:
Nick Harding stated that the CPCA have undertaken a consultation with the Council in respect of housing and the outcome is yet to be published. He added that with regards to the County Council he has not observed any changes to date.
John Maxey asked whether the Mayor could be invited to the next Development Forum meeting partly to find out what might change in terms of a new regime and central funding, but also to highlight to him, that Fenland is one of the more under privileged areas in terms of viability and affordable housing. Nick Harding stated that this could be considered, and a subgroup of the forum could be formulated.
Nick Harding referred to the consultation report and explained that with regards to the draft response that officers are currently working on, he has highlighted that with regards to affordable housing delivery, the methodology used to assess the value for money aspects of certain aspects need to be considered. He added he has stated that there are low land and property values in the area, lower and unstable paid wages, and building costs are the same in Fenland as in other area of Cambridgeshire. Nick Harding stated that because of past methodologies Fenland have lost the ability to automatically complete with other districts because their values are higher, however our housing need is as acute as anywhere else.
Councillor Mrs Laws added that she agrees that it may be a worthwhile exercise for a subgroup of the forum to meet with the Mayor and she stated that she is very much aware of the housing need required in Fenland and added that the consultation report that is being sent back by officers is a good way forward.
Peter Humphrey asked whether there has been any political change regarding the Wisbech Access Study in terms of funding for road and highway improvements. Nick Harding stated that he was not aware of any proposed change in terms of programming for highways improvements.
Councillor Boden stated that at a recent meeting of the Business Board an application was made for the necessary funding to get to the stage of completion of land acquisition and design which was turned down by the Board and he added that the item will be discussed by the Combined Authority Board at their next meeting. He added it was turned down on the grounds of the growth fund criteria which the Business Board as an LDF are obliged to choose, are not satisfied by the current proposals that there are in Wisbech. Councillor Boden stated that he will be appealing to the Mayor to include the Wisbech Access Study Works as part of his main budget. Councillor Boden clarified that he is referring to the three schemes which have yet to get to the land acquisition stage.
John Maxey stated that he finds the news worrying as he was under the impression that the funding was already in place and certain development is already ongoing and is affected by the works which he thought were already being funded.