(i)         that the Cabinet recognises, that the standard methodology is the Government’s expected approach to calculate housing need;

(ii)        that a call for evidence for any appropriate alternative methods of calculating housing need in Torbay be run in parallel to assessment work and consultation on housing land capacity; and

(iii)       that a Local Development Scheme be updated and published by the Assistant Director of Planning, Housing and Climate Emergency (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture), to reflect the anticipated programme for updating the Local Plan following this decision.

To agree a way forward for setting the Local Housing Need for Torbay.

Alternative options were set out in the submitted report.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 2 March 2021 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

The submitted report provided an update in respect of the Government Policy to significantly boost national housing supply and the need for the Council to decide on the level of Local Housing Need that should be planned for in the updated Torbay Local Plan.  The report also set out the available options to progress this.  It was noted that the Local Plan required this figure as a basis to work from and that need was not the same as capacity.

Councillor Morey proposed and Councillor Long seconded a motion which was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet as set out above.

None