Agenda item

To consider a motion submitted by Councillors Hamilton-Cox, Brookes and Barry as follows:

This council resolves:

'To ask officers to produce a public briefing note for councillors on the 5-year housing land supply statement focussed on how the calculation of the under-supply of 1695 homes is justified when set against the available data on growth of population, household formation and employment  between 2001 and 2011. Full council asks that the briefing note should be based on attributable data and should compare the data with the projections and forecasts for population, household formation and employment which presumably informed the target of 400 homes per year against which housing delivery is deemed to have fallen short to 2011.

 Full council further resolves that the briefing note be circulated to councillors not later than Wednesday 14th January 2015.

The proposers of the motion note the census data which shows that the district's population increased by 4461 between 2001 and 2011. The city council's Housing  Land Monitoring Reports show that the number of homes completed in the district between 2001-02 and 2010-11 was 3223. This is a ratio of 1.38 people per new household. The average household size at the 2011 census was 2.27 people.'

An officer briefing note is attached.

Notice of the following motion had been given to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16 by Councillors Hamilton-Cox, Barry and Brookes:- 

“To ask officers to produce a public briefing note for councillors on the 5-year housing land supply statement focussed on how the calculation of the under-supply of 1695 homes is justified when set against the available data on growth of population, household formation and employment  between 2001 and 2011. Full council asks that the briefing note should be based on attributable data and should compare the data with the projections and forecasts for population, household formation and employment which presumably informed the target of 400 homes per year against which housing delivery is deemed to have fallen short to 2011.

Full council further resolves that the briefing note be circulated to councillors not later than Wednesday 14th January 2015.

The proposers of the motion note the census data which shows that the district's population increased by 4461 between 2001 and 2011. The city council's Housing  Land Monitoring Reports show that the number of homes completed in the district between 2001-02 and 2010-11 was 3223. This is a ratio of 1.38 people per new household. The average household size at the 2011 census was 2.27 people.”

Prior to the meeting, a revised motion had been circulated by the proposers and this wording was proposed by Councillor Hamilton-Cox and seconded by Councillor Barry:

“This council resolves:

To ask officers to produce a briefing note for councillors on the 5-year housing land supply statement focussed on how the calculation of the under-supply of 1695 homes is justified when set against the available data on growth of population, household formation and employment between 2001 and 2011. Full council asks that the briefing note should be based on attributable data and should compare the data with the projections and forecasts for population, household formation and employment which presumably informed the target of 400 homes per year against which housing delivery is deemed to have fallen short to 2011.

Full council resolves that the background briefing note be circulated to councillors not later than Wednesday 14th January 2015.

Full council further resolves that the Chief Executive should write to the district's two MPs and the planning minister to ask that calculation of previous housing under-supply, instead of being judged against the 400 homes target that was itself only based on forecasts and projections, should be re-based to take account of actual population, household formation and employment increases during the period 2001-2011.

The proposers of the motion note the census data which shows that the district's population increased by 4461 between 2001 and 2011. The city council's Housing Land Monitoring Reports show that the number of homes completed in the district between 2001-02 and 2010-11 was 3223. This is a ratio of 1.38 people per new household. The average household size at the 2011 census was 2.27 people.”

Officer advice was included in a briefing note accompanying the agenda.

The following amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Newman-Thompson:

“That the word ‘confidential’ be added in front of the words ‘briefing note’ in the first line of the motion.”

With the agreement of his seconder, Councillor Hamilton-Cox accepted this as a friendly amendment.

Councillor Dennison then proposed a further amendment, which was also accepted as a friendly amendment by Councillors Hamilton-Cox and Barry:

“That the Chief Executive be asked to consult with neighbouring authorities to ascertain how their calculations and methodology on the above have been achieved.”

At the conclusion of a long debate a vote was taken and the motion was unanimously carried.

Resolved unanimously:-

This council resolves:

(1)          To ask officers to produce a confidential briefing note for councillors on the 5-year housing land supply statement focussed on how the calculation of the under-supply of 1695 homes is justified when set against the available data on growth of population, household formation and employment between 2001 and 2011. Full council asks that the briefing note should be based on attributable data and should compare the data with the projections and forecasts for population, household formation and employment which presumably informed the target of 400 homes per year against which housing delivery is deemed to have fallen short to 2011.

(2)          That the Chief Executive be asked to consult with neighbouring authorities to ascertain how their calculations and methodology on the above have been achieved.

(3)          Full council resolves that the background briefing note be circulated to councillors not later than Wednesday 14th January 2015.

(4)          Full council further resolves that the Chief Executive should write to the district's two MPs and the planning minister to ask that calculation of previous housing under-supply, instead of being judged against the 400 homes target that was itself only based on forecasts and projections, should be re-based to take account of actual population, household formation and employment increases during the period 2001-2011.