To approve the approach to the delivery housing model options available to the council to increase the supply of affordable housing in the County. Cabinet is also requested to approve Phase 2 of this strategic work to develop a pipeline of sites suitable for development as affordable housing to support discussions with key partners including Homes England.

The County Plan 2020-2024 sets out the council’s ambition to provide 1,000 affordable housing units in the county. The term affordable is taken in its widest sense – to provide a range of housing that is genuinely affordable to both rent and purchase given local earnings. The council has not owned its own housing stock since 2002 and a review has therefore been undertaken as to the most appropriate role for the council in delivering its ambition. The options and delivery proposals suggested recognise the structures already in place and available to the council.