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Birmingham City Council in talks with DCLG over regional housing deal
Birmingham City Council is in discussions with the government over a bespoke housing deal for the West Midlands which includes proposals on the Right to Buy in the region.
The council – which manages around 65,000 homes and built 1,430 new units over the past three years – said its offer to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) involves “an agreement on how Right to Buy will operate across council and other social housing”.
Inside Housing revealed in May that the West Midlands has been selected as a regional pilot for the Right to Buy extension to housing associations, though this has not yet been officially confirmed.
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February’s Housing White Paper said the government is “interested in the scope for bespoke housing deals with authorities in high-demand areas, which have a genuine ambition to build”.
Birmingham City Council plans to build 1,500 homes before 2020 and estimates that 89,000 new homes are needed in the city by 2031.
John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Discussions have begun with government officials about such a deal for the West Midlands and Birmingham will play its full part in developing and delivering the deal, based on our record and experience.
“Government has also made it clear that they are willing to make voluntary agreements on how Right to Buy (RTB) will work in a locality with councils and housing associations, rather than just imposing national rules.
“This will be explored as part of the housing deal discussions and the aim will be to ensure maximum local flexibility and retention of RTB proceeds for investment in more local homes.”
A spokesperson for the council said it was too early to provide further details on the discussions.
Kevin Rodgers, chair of the West Midlands Housing Association Partnership (WMHAP) and chief executive of WM Housing, said a regional housing deal would be "brilliant" and that WMHAP would be "more than happy" to take part in discussions over the Right to Buy.
The DCLG has been approached for comment.
UPDATE AT 13:20 12.07.17: The story was updated to make it clearer that the proposed housing deal is for the West Midlands region and to include a comment from Kevin Rodgers.
