Councillors Demand New Homes Bonus Is Spent On Social Housing

Westminster Labour councillors have called on the council to use its latest share of the new homes bonus to build new social housing in the borough. Westminster City Council has been given £8.25 million by the government from the NHB for 2014/15. The money is based on the amount of extra council tax revenue raised for new-build homes, conversions and long-term empty homes brought back into use. There is also an extra payment for providing affordable homes. Labour says that the council is under a duty to consult residents on the use of its NHB funding. Read more on 24dash.

Westminster Accepts £31 Million Less for Affordable Housing 'Buy Out'

Westminster Council has accepted £31 million less than they were owed by developers for s.106 payments in just three months, opposition councillors claim. Labour councillors in the borough have written to the district auditor to highlight the shortfall incurred between May and August. Nine planning applications over that period did not include any affordable housing, triggering a cash payment from the developers. But the council accepted £31,130,387 less than suggested in their own planning policies, Labour councillors have claimed. Read more on Inside Housing.