Here's a summary of the Cabinet Advisory Panel B meeting held by Dartford Council on 22 September 2025:

The panel discussed a range of housing-related issues, including a regeneration project, temporary accommodation, and several draft policies and strategies. The panel endorsed the recommendations for all items on the agenda, including supporting the direct delivery of a regeneration scheme, increasing the capital budget for temporary accommodation, and approving a new housing strategy, updated allocations policy, a review of tenancy agreements, and a water safety management plan.

Here's a more detailed look at the key discussion points:

Former Co-op Site Development

The panel considered the proposed development of the former Co-op site, acquired by the council in June 2023 from Homes England. The plan is to create a low-rise, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood.

Key points from the discussion:

• A member sought clarification on the overall cost of the project and whether Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding would be payable if the council partnered with a developer. The Director of Growth & Community, Caroline Hicks, confirmed the indicative cost and that CIL would be payable regardless of the delivery method.
• A member raised concerns about disability access, lack of parking, and inclusion of solar panels. Caroline Hicks confirmed accessibility would be addressed in the detailed design, the housing would be marketed without dedicated parking, and the architect was working to a brief that included green credentials.
• A member questioned the funding of the project, suggesting it would require significant borrowing and that the homes would not be affordable. Caroline Hicks clarified that the council was acting as an agent rather than a developer, eliminating developer profit, and that the project would include 20% affordable housing.
• Another member asked if new homes could be added to the council's housing stock. Caroline Hicks said this was still under discussion.
• A member requested a breakdown of architect's fees and cost modelling, and whether the fees had been benchmarked. Caroline Hicks said the £1,350,000 was a ceiling cost estimate, the fees had been benchmarked, and a full procurement process would be followed.
• A member asked about the types of businesses permitted within the commercial spaces, suggesting priority be given to essential services. Caroline Hicks said a 'gap' analysis had been undertaken and would inform the project, and that public consultation was underway.
• A member asked how the plan would impact families relying on public transport, and whether the zero-vehicle zone applied to electric vehicles. Caroline Hicks said a transport consultant had been engaged, the site was easily accessible via public transport, and she could not guarantee the integrity of bus routes.
• Another member was concerned about rising project costs and asked what contingencies were in place. Caroline Hicks said the council was confident about offering the contract at a fixed price due to the extent of front-loading and data from previous proposals.
• A member felt the scheme did not meet Dartford's housing need and that the affordable element could be shared ownership. He was also unclear about the economic development strategy for the town.
• A member asked to prevent homes in the area becoming HMOs

The Cabinet Advisory Panel endorsed the recommendations contained in the report.

Investment Programme for the Provision of Council Owned Temporary Accommodation

The panel considered proposals for a property acquisition investment programme to purchase up to 50 homes for temporary accommodation.

Key points from the discussion:

• Members welcomed the proposals to help alleviate pressures on the housing stock and provide more temporary accommodation within the borough.
• The Chairman asked about the strategy for the types of properties to be procured, their location, and whether they would be new-build or existing properties. The Head of Housing, Paul Koster, said the council would procure properties as they became available, focusing on homes for families and exercising its right of first refusal on right-to-buy properties being sold on.

The Cabinet Advisory Panel endorsed the recommendations contained in the report.

Draft Housing Strategy 2025-2028

The panel considered the draft Housing Strategy for 2025-2028, which details the council's plans for delivering housing services over the next three years. The strategy includes seven key priorities, including increasing the supply of affordable homes, relieving homelessness, and improving housing conditions.

The Cabinet Advisory Panel endorsed the recommendations contained in the report.

Housing Allocations Policy Update

The panel considered a report on the updated Housing Allocations Policy, which was last reviewed in 2023. The most significant change was increasing the local connection criteria from two to five years, with certain exceptions.

Key points from the discussion:

• In response to a question from the Chairman, Paul Koster said that the local connection criteria was being increased to ensure that housing applications from Dartford residents would be prioritised.

The Cabinet Advisory Panel endorsed the recommendation contained in the report.

Tenancy Agreement Review

The panel considered a report detailing the review of the Tenancy Agreement terms and conditions, last updated in 2007. The revised agreement aims to reflect changes in legislation and address issues raised by tenants.

The Cabinet Advisory Panel endorsed the recommendations contained in the report.

Draft Water Safety Management Plan and Policy

The panel considered a report on the new draft Water Safety Management Plan and Policy, which outlines the council's approach to controlling Legionella bacteria in hot and cold-water systems.

The Cabinet Advisory Panel endorsed the recommendations contained in the report.

Preparedness for Housing Regulator Inspection Strategy

The panel considered a report presenting a draft strategy on the council's approach to preparing for inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing.

The Cabinet Advisory Panel endorsed the recommendation contained in the report.

Other Matters

The panel also endorsed the recommendations regarding the Housing Service Update Report 2025/26 - Quarter 1, the introduction of a charge for amendments to live planning applications, and the minutes of the Housing Advisory Board meeting held on 13 August 2025. They also endorsed the content of the exempt appendix to the report on the Former Co-op Site Development.