That:

a)    Having considered the options set out in the paper to deliver up to 2,500 homes in the County over the next 10 years Cabinet agree that:

i.               the council own the affordable units initially under the General Fund and then establish a HRA; and

b)    approves to spend up to £72k on the development of the housing model chosen in recommendation (a), by developing a full business case;

c)    asks Engie to develop recommendations for proceedable sites to be reviewed at Cabinet in December 2020;

d)    approves to spend up to £71k to develop recommendations for potential sites to be reviewed at Cabinet in January 2021 to agree how to progress affordable housing delivery in Herefordshire; and

e)    an independent expert be appointed within a budget of £20k to advise on ensuring that housing built through this programme is compatible with our commitment to being a net zero carbon council by 2030.