Content

To replace paragraph 3.1(i) of the adopted
Commuted Sums Spending Policy with the following:
(i)Additionality
Proposals must deliver additional affordable housing units1 which
contribute to new supply in the District. Additionality might also
be demonstrated by showing that the funding would be used to
acquire and/or convert the tenure of affordable housing to a more
affordable tenure (such as conversion from affordable rent to
social rent), or a type of specialist affordable housing which is
undersupplied (such as Temporary Accommodation). Commuted sums will
not be used to fund the upkeep/maintenance of homes or the outright
purchase of new affordable housing secured through planning
obligations, although funds could be used to convert the tenure of
new Section 106 units to something more affordable.

Reasons for the decision

To clarify the wording of the policy to ensure
that it is clear that the use of commuted sums for the acquisition
and conversion of affordable homes to more affordable tenures and
tenures in short supply is acceptable. And to be clear that the use
of commuted sums for the outright purchase of new s106 affordable
homes is not supported under the policy, and neither is the use of
commuted sums for ongoing upkeep and repair of affordable
homes.

Alternative options considered

Keeping the policy as previously
drafted.
Rewriting the whole policy.