55.1 The Housing Services Manager introduced the report, noting that it was updated after approval at December 2022 Council, and that planning approval is still awaited. It was clarified that the uplift request is counter to build cost inflation that occurred after the expression of interest.
55.2 The Chair stated that he felt that a 9.7% increase in one year is very high. The Housing Services Manager noted that the expression of interest was over 12 months ago. The report to Council on 13 December 2022 included some financial contingency, though since then inflation has equalled 10.6% when checked against government build cost inflation figures, so this benchmarked to ensure that it is appropriate.
55.3 Cllr Hyman expressed concern about agreeing a project in principle without assessment of mitigation to potential environmental harm from development. He reiterated that the authority must demonstrate how mitigation will be effective for development to be lawful.
The Committee resolved to note the report and recommendations.