Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Heather Kidd (Substitute: Councillor Roger Evans), Robert Tindall and Dan Thomas.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

          None were declared.

To confirm the minutes of the Housing Supervisory Board meeting held on 8^th July 2021.

Contact: Shelley Davies on 01743 257718

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th July 2021 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 2.00 pm, Tuesday 19^th October 2021.

          There were no public questions.

To receive any question of which Members of the Council have given notice.  Deadline for notification for this meeting is 5.00pm, Monday 18^th October 2021.

          There were no Member questions.

To receive a report on Cornovii Developments Limited Appointment of Chair of Board of Directors from the Assistant Director, Homes & Communities. [Report attached]

Contact Jane Trethewey

Members received the report of the Assistant Director Homes and Communities in relation to the appointment of the new Chair of the Cornovii Developments Limited Board of Directors.

The Assistant Director Homes and Communities introduced the report and advised Members that a key recommendation from the Campbell Tickell review of Shropshire Council’s governance arrangements of Cornovii Developments Limited was the separation of the roles of the Managing Director and Chair of the Board of Directors and the appointment of an independent Chair.

It was reported that following a competitive interview process involving the CDL team, Tile Hill (Executive Recruitment Agency), the Chair of the Housing Supervisory Board and Shropshire Council Officers, Derek Humphreys had been selected as the preferred candidate for the position of Chair. The Assistant Director Homes and Communities added that Derek brings with him over 35 years’ experience within the development and construction sector.

In response to a question from a Member in relation to whether the Chair should be invited to meetings of the Housing Supervisory Board, the Assistant Director Homes and Communities explained that the Board was welcome to invite the Chair if they wished to do but it was not a requirement for the Chair to attend these meetings. The Chairman suggested that a standing invitation be sent to the Chair of the CDL Board with the understanding that there was no expectation for him to attend. 

RESOLVED: That the report of the Assistant Director Homes and Communities be noted.

To receive the Cornovii Developments Limited Update Report from the Assistant Director, Homes and Communities.  [Report attached]

 Contact Jane Trethewey

Members received the report of the Assistant Director Homes and Communities which gave an update from Cornovii Developments Limited (CDL) on the company’s progress since the last meeting of the Board.

The Assistant Director Homes and Communities introduced the report and advised Members that all new homes at the Frith Close site had received an EPC rating of A and those at the Ellesmere Wharf site an EPC rating of B. It was explained that CDL were unable to achieve an EPC rating of A on the Ellesmere Wharf development due to significant abnormal costs associated with preparing the site.

It was reported by the Assistant Director Homes and Communities that as a result of two sites no longer proceeding the number of new homes to be delivered by CDL had been reduced from 574 to 532, however, the Company continued to identify new development opportunities across the County.

The Managing Director of CDL gave a brief update in relation to the current housing market and explained the difficulties being experienced in the sector at present in relation to the lack of building materials and labour shortages.

In response to questions the Managing Director of CDL outlined the remedial work required at the Ellesmere Wharf site and explained the reasons why it was not possible to fit solar panels to these properties. Following further debate in relation the issue of solar panels at the Ellesmere Wharf site it was agreed that the CDL Board be asked to revisit this decision.

RESOLVED:That the report of the Assistant Director Homes and Communities be noted.

To resolve in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.4[3] of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules, the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following item.

RESOLVED: That in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and paragraph 10.4(3) of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules, the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following items.

To confirm the exempt minutes of the Housing Supervisory Board meeting held on 8^th July 2021.

RESOLVED: That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 8^th July 2021 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the Cornovii Developments Limited Exempt Items Update Report from the Assistant Director, Homes and Communities.  [Exempt report attached]

Contact: Jane Trethewey

Members received an exempt report from the Assistant Director Homes and Communities.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.