Decision details

The board considered a report of the Chief Executive that sought endorsement to enter into a Collaborative Partnering Agreement (“CPA”) with the Homes for the West Midlands Limited Liability Partnership (“the LLP”) for the purpose of furthering and increasing the development of new affordable housing on brownfield sites, whilst also contributing to key WMCA policy objectives including net zero and advanced methods of construction.

The Head of Strategy and Analysis, Rob Lamond, outlined the key aspects of the report including the background to the Agreement and the five participating registered providers (“RPs”) that would work closely with the WMCA to drive affordable housing.

Councillor O’Boyle (Coventry) expressed concerns that one of the five participating RPs in the CPA and pilot had pulled out of its housing commitment for the Coventry City Centre South scheme which left the scheme in precarious position as its successor could not confirm funding was in place. He considered the WMCA should not commit to funding other projects with the said RP whilst there was a funding issue for Coventry City Centre South.

The Head of Strategy and Analysis, Rob Lamond advised that the Agreement would not commit the RP to deploying any funds but would seek to combine the best efforts of all those involved to deliver more affordable housing in the region. He reported that the WMCA could have discussions with Coventry Officers concerning the Coventry City Centre South scheme and funding from Homes England.

Councillor O’Boyle commented further that whilst he understood the principles of the CPA, and supported Abberley Street as the pilot site, he did not think it was the right time for the Agreement to be taken forward when Coventry City Centre South scheme was in jeopardy and this was a priority for the WMCA.

Councillor Burden (Wolverhampton) indicated that he would want to see KPIs, and outcomes/outputs included in the Agreement so there was a measure of accountability.

The Head of Strategy and Analysis reported that work was being undertaken with the RPs to establish what they would deliver each year, along with targets that would form part of a future business plan.

Following further discussion, the board agreed to defer the Agreement but to continue to progress Abberley Street as the pilot site.

The Director of Commercial and Investment, Ian Martin, undertook to contact officers at Coventry regarding funding issues relating to Coventry City Centre South and follow-up the matter with Homes England as appropriate.

Resolved that:

1. The Collaborative Partnering Agreement (‘CPA’) attached as appendix 1 to the report be deferred at this stage, but the proposed disposal of the Abberley Street site (‘the pilot site’) and the next steps with regards to Abberley Street be agreed and
2. The Collaborative Partnership Agreement be re-submitted to Investment Board for endorsement, and that the revised report set out the costs and the benefits of the Partnership with the likely outputs and outcomes that would be achieved.