Westminster needs to help councils reach their potential

As Theresa May unveiled the government’s industrial plan this week, housing minister Gavin Barwell delivered a keynote address on strategy to boost housing development.

The two are inextricably linked. 

“It is clear that getting the housing offer right is vital to being able to achieve local economic growth.”

The industrial strategy is intended to bring a boost to the post-Brexit economy. Much of the lengthy document was a re-cap of existing programmes.

But the pithy 10-point summary confirms some important principles, including upgrading infrastructure, driving economic growth across the whole country and developing skills.

There was also important recognition that much of this must build on local growth priorities.

It is clear that getting the housing offer right is vital to being able to achieve local economic growth.

It is equally clear that local authorities must play a strong role in leading, co-ordinating and enabling housing and economic growth.

To achieve that, government will need to provide clearer and more wholehearted support for the role that councils play.

Mr Barwell’s speech, in anticipation of the long-awaited Housing White Paper, provided some encouraging signs.

He spoke of the importance of diversifying the housing market to include a greater role for councils, housing associations and institutional investors.

Though keen to deflect questions about the green belt, he did touch on much-needed additional resources for stretched planning departments, and the need to overcome nimbyism.

Councils are increasingly stepping up to the plate.

This week Surrey and East Sussex – two county councils without statutory housing duties – have set out plans to move into housing development across 36 sites. 

If their ambitions to incorporate land from other local public sector bodies come to pass, the programme could deliver up to 10,000 homes.

The partnership follows in the pioneering footsteps of Cambridgeshire County Council and unitary Durham Council, and could provide a model for other authorities.

Meanwhile, in the capital, Haringey Council – whose chief executive Nick Walkley will soon be taking the helm at the Homes and Communities Agency – is close to appointing a developer for its £1bn redevelopment scheme.

And London Councils is moving forward with plans for a joint delivery vehicle to help the boroughs increase capacity across the capital.

Local authorities should play a growing role. To reach their potential they will need plenty of support from Westminster. 

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Telling stories

Latest government figures on homelessness confirm that rough sleeping has soared by 16% over the past year. It is a stark figure that should send a chill down the spines of all in the sector and in Westminster. 

The Homelessness Reduction Bill and the funding committed so far is important. But it is just a start. Our Cathy at 50 campaign calls on government to commit to halving rough sleeping by 2020, and for councils and associations to take a Housing First approach.

We are working to tell stories about the impact of homelessness. Through our Reel Homes competition, we will support up-and-coming film-makers to follow in the footsteps of BAFTA-acclaimed director Daisy-May Hudson, whose film Half Way charts her experience of homelessness.