1. Is HNS the only input data?
TCLT RESPONSE
The Housing Needs Survey was conducted by Devon Communities Together and is recognised as a reliable method of calculating local demand. The return from Thorverton was noted by DCT as being higher than usual.
Comment on this post #1
2. What messaging are you doing to ensure all can be informed and participate?
TCLT RESPONSE
The CLT website is the best place to look at information on the project. Regular updates are posted in each month’s Focus magazine. This Forum was introduced so that questions could be raised and informed responses given by the CLT. At an early stage the CLT Board decided not to engage in discussions on Facebook, especially when questions come from ‘Anonymous Members’.
Comment on this post #2
3. Will there be any single bed room flats?
TCLT RESPONSE
We’ll endeavour to include consideration of these into any design
Comment on this post #3
4. What happens when houses are built and there are not enough locals there and then to move in?
TCLT RESPONSE
This, including definition of ‘local’ and how long a house can sit empty awaiting a local resident is the vital detail to be agreed within a S106 between MDDC and whoever has most control be that TCLT, a developer or a HA. This is why we think it is important for TCLT to have as much control as possible. We also need to understand more about how Devon Home Choice works in practice. There is much more work to do here.
Comment on this post #4
5. Will final decisions prior to planning be approved by members?
TCLT RESPONSE
Yes.
Comment on this post #5
6. Can we buy South side but only develop the North for now?
TCLT RESPONSE
We have yet to confirm this with the Church Commissioners.
Comment on this post #6
7. What are the pros and cons of DMS v SO?
TCLT RESPONSE
Discounted Market Sale (DMS) ensures the homes will remain available in perpetuity to local people at a discount on open market values. The occupier pays a mortgage on a proportion of the value of the house, with no rent charged on the remainder. DMS may be cheaper to the occupant than Shared Ownership, where a rent is charged in addition to the mortgage payments.
However the downside of DMS is that it does not currently attract standard public subsidy. It therefore needs to be subsidised in another way – typically by the profits from some full open-market properties on the site.
With Shared Ownership the buyer similarly buys a % share (from 10% upwards) of their home, but they pay rent (to a Housing Association) on the rest of the equity.
Comment on this post #7
8. Are any directors potential investors in or funders of the scheme?
TCLT RESPONSE
No, not other than investing their own voluntary time in the scheme.
Comment on this post #8
9. Can directors of the CLT acquire any of the homes?
TCLT RESPONSE
There are examples of this happening at other CLTs. They would also need to fulfil the same criteria as anyone else applying for a home.
Comment on this post #9
10. Where is the accountability for the responses to the concerns that will be raised? Are any of the concerns that people email shared with the whole committee and the community, or just the person who reads them and replies? Can we not have email contact details for the whole committee for transparency?
TCLT RESPONSE
The whole Board is accountable for the responses. The full concerns and emails are shared with the whole Board and in summary form with the whole community on the website. The website has a list of all Board members’ names for transparency, but not their private email addresses.
Comment on this post #10
11. How do people know when their application for membership is approved?
TCLT RESPONSE
An email is sent to that person.
Comment on this post #11
12. How do I access the constitution or memorandum and articles of TCLT, why are they not on the website?
TCLT RESPONSE
The rules have been placed on the website in the documents section; they were, and still are, available as part of the membership application process.
Comment on this post #12
13. The challenges of the school were not adequately addressed by the response to the question from the floor at the meeting. Development funded by the probably already financially challenged CLT, (as presented with apparent authority and as a done deal at the meeting) would inevitably have considerable time lag by which time all the children would have had to be placed in other schools.
TCLT RESPONSE
There are indeed significant challenges to resolve. The provision of adequate places at the village school is a key factor to be taken into account in the planning process.
Comment on this post #13
14. : The challenges of the school were not adequately addressed by the response to the question from the floor at the meeting. Development funded by the probably already financially challenged CLT, (as presented with apparent authority and as a done deal at the meeting) would inevitably have considerable time lag by which time all the children would have had to be placed in other schools.
TCLT RESPONSE
There are indeed significant challenges to resolve. The provision of adequate places at the village school is a key factor to be taken into account in the planning process.