The Newham Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss commonhold tenure, strategic housing delivery, and updates from scrutiny chairs. The committee agreed to note a report on strategic housing delivery, but clarified that this did not constitute a formal consultation.

Commonhold Tenure

The committee received an update on the government's consultation on commonhold tenure, a form of property ownership where residents own their flats outright and jointly own shared spaces. ¹ Paul Kitson, Corporate Director for Economy Housing and Culture, presented the report, which outlined the government's intention to ban new leasehold flats in England and Wales and reintroduce commonhold as the standard tenure for new multi-unit residential buildings.

The report also considered the implications for councils, listing strategic, ownership, financial and legal considerations. It also included a series of risk and mitigation strategies.

The report recommended that the council:

• develop a strategy
• create a commonhold preparedness plan across planning, legal, housing and development functions
• develop internal expertise
• engage developers early
• deliver public education campaigns
• create support frameworks
• develop wider public sector partnerships

Councillors raised questions about how commonhold would work in blocks with both council tenants and leaseholders, and whether leaseholders in existing council blocks would be able to convert to commonhold. Councillor Susan Masters, Scrutiny Commission Chair, asked whether new developments with homes for social rent would be affected.

There was discussion about the potential financial impact of commonhold on the council, with Councillor Lester Hudson questioning whether the loss of lease renewal income would affect the viability of new developments.

Strategic Housing Delivery

The committee received an update on the council’s strategic housing delivery programme, specifically the Affordable Homes for Newham programme and estate regeneration schemes in Custom House, Canning Town and the Carpenters Estate.

Mayor Roxana Fiaz OBE, portfolio lead for Inclusive Economy and Strategic Housing Delivery and Culture, introduced the report, highlighting the council's commitment to delivering 1,000 new council homes by 2022 and 1,500 from May 2022, as outlined in the council's corporate plan and manifesto commitments.

The report detailed the progress of various housing projects, including:

• Affordable Homes for Newham: This programme has delivered 211 homes, with 495 homes currently on site and a further 147 due to complete in 2026/27.
• Estate Regeneration: The council is leading estate regeneration programmes in Canning Town, Custom House and the Carpenters Estate, which will deliver over 5,000 new homes.
  • The Canning Town Estate Regeneration programme will bring forward 1300-1500 new homes. Phase 1 (Vincent Street) is currently on site, providing 147 new council homes at social rent.
  • The Custom House area redevelopment will deliver 734 new homes. Phase 1 is in delivery across two sites.
  • On the Carpenters Estate, the council plans to deliver approximately 2,300 new homes, with 50% designated as genuinely affordable social rent properties.

The report also addressed the challenges and risks associated with housing delivery, including rising borrowing costs, inflation, market volatility, and changes to planning regulations.

Councillor Masters raised concerns about the future strategy for Populo and the Affordable Homes programme, questioning whether there was duplication of effort. She also queried the comments in the report about Victoria Street, stating that she was not aware that any decisions had been taken to redevelop the site.

Councillor Hudson questioned the affordability of the affordable housing programme, given the council's budget gap. He also asked about the objectives for affordable homes, family homes and wheelchair-friendly homes within the regeneration schemes.

Councillor Carleene Lee-Phakoe asked how the council was measuring performance against its building a fairer Newham priorities, and how it would maintain its commitment to affordable housing in private partnerships.

The committee agreed to note the report, but Councillor Hudson requested it be noted for the record that the committee was not being consulted on it, as there was not enough detail.

Scrutiny Chairs Updates

The committee received updates from the chairs of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny, Children and Young People's Scrutiny, and Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny commissions on their recent activities.