Top stories this week *Caroline Flint replaces Yvette Cooper as Housing Minister *Government outlines Community Infrastructure Levy *Construction outlook makes Government housing targets unlikely says RICS Friday, 25 January 2008Top stories this week Caroline Flint replaces Yvette Cooper as Housing Minister...read moreGovernment outlines Community Infrastructure Levy...read moreConstruction outlook makes Government housing targets unlikely says RICS...read moreQuick LinksWales NewsGovernment NewsHousing Market News Industry NewsHBF NewsWales News Murphy returns as Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy is to take over as Welsh Secretary from Peter Hain, who resigned yesterday. Mr Murphy, 59, the MP for Torfaen, will return to the position he held for three years after the Welsh assembly was established in 1999.Fears over tax cut for second homes in WalesA number of organizations and Councilors have spoken out about a proposal to cut tax on the sale of second homes in Wales. They fear the proposal could derail policies aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing in rural Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government is now trying to stop Chancellor Alistair Darling's plans, which would see capital gains tax liability on proceeds from selling second homes fall to a flat rate of 18%. Currently, the proceeds are taxed at between 24% and 40%, depending on how long the home has been owned.Read more to topSevern barrage details unveiledDetails of a feasibility study into the Severn Barrage, a tidal power plan that could provide about 5% of UK electricity, have been announced. Britain's Energy Secretary John Hutton announced the terms of the study into the environmentally-controversial proposal, which he described as "breathtaking".Civil servants will have until 2010 to assess the impact of the proposal for a 10-mile barrage from Lavernock Point, Sully, to Weston-super-Mare.Read more"Moving to a Low Carbon Future" - Friday 29th February 2008, 3pm - 5pm, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay An event organised by the Energy Saving Trust called ‘Moving to a low carbon future' is to be held at the Wales Millennium Centre and will showcase low carbon refurbishment technologies of today and tomorrow.Displays and exhibits will include solar hot water and PV panels, ground source heat pumps, wind turbines, biomass, solid wall insulation methods, low embodied energy products and remote meter display units. Alongside experts from the Energy Saving Trust, confirmed panellists are Nick Tune of BRE Wales, Ian Draisey of Dulas, Julia Williams of the Welsh Assembly Government and Peter Draper of Rounded Developments Sustainable Building Centre."Moving to a low carbon future" is open to building and planning professionals and will take place on Friday 29th February 2008. The event will run from 3pm - 5pm, with the ‘ask the expert' panel session taking place at 3.30pm. Booking is essential, and reservations can be made by calling the Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 or emailing lowcarbonfuture@sewenergy.org.uk. There is no charge for attendance. to topGovernment NewsYvette Cooper moves in Cabinet reshuffle - Caroline Flint becomes new Housing MinisterIn a Ministerial reshuffle following Peter Hain's resignation yesterday, Yvette Cooper has become Chief Secretary at the Treasury and Caroline Flint is the new Housing Minister to replace Cooper. The Housing Minister will continue to attend Cabinet.Government outlines vision for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)Just before the reshuffle, Yvette Cooper issued a document setting out the background to the proposed CIL and giving more detail on the provisions in the Planning Bill. The document explains how it is envisaged, at this stage, CIL will operate in particular:how the CIL will be set;how the CIL will be spent;the future of planning obligations;how, when and by whom CIL will be paid; andthe approach to exemptions and thresholds.Finally, the document explains how Government will be continuing to develop the detail of the CIL in consultation with stakeholders and what local planning authorities should expect to do in the period up to, and beyond, the implementation of the CIL. The Government will seek views on the proposals in this document.View CIL documentto topNew measures to help deliver faster and cheaper property searchesCouncils and private search companies will be expected to work together to improve the quality and speed of providing property searches to homebuyers, under new guidance set out by the Government this week.Local authorities should now aim to provide access to their data within one working day to private search companies. In return, they will be able to recoup their costs by setting a fair charge for improving access.The changes follow recommendations made by the Office of Fair Trading to improve competition between the public and private sector in the delivery of property searches to consumers. European Commission outlines ambitious proposals for tackling climate changeThe European Commission has outlined proposals this week to tackle climate change in Europe. For the UK, the Commission's proposals include:A reduction of 16 per cent in UK greenhouse gas emissions from sectors not covered by the EU ETS by 2020 from 2005 levels;For 15 per cent of the energy consumed in the UK to come from renewable sources by 2020;For 10 per cent of road transport fuels to come from renewable sources, subject to them being produced in a sustainable way.The proposals include a draft Directive on promoting renewable energy. HBF will be discussing with Government how this proposal may affect work on the zero carbon homes objective.View press releaseto topPrivate rented sector to be focus of independent reviewA major review to improve the private rented sector was announced this week by the Government.The Citizens Advice Bureau report last year found 1 in 5 tenants were dissatisfied with the quality of repairs carried out by their landlord and feared retaliatory action if they complained to authorities. On the other hand, landlords can face problems with poor tenants not paying rent and anti-social behaviour. The review will look how the increasing number of buy to let accommodation and student tenants has impacted on the private rented sector, the quality of homes and who the users of the sector are. It will also examine the impact of demographic and social change on the future demand and supply in the sector. View press releaseTreasury response on the extension of Contaminated Land Relief The Treasury has issued its response to the submissions that were made in July 07 to the Consultation Paper that they issued as part of the Budget 07 proposals. HBF submitted a response after consultation with Members.The positives to take from the Treasury response are:The threat of having relief linked to the planning process has been removedThe principle of rolling the start-qualifying date forward is accepted and will be effected by future Treasury OrderThe cost of removing Japanese Knotweed will be included - so long as not removed to land-fill.and downsides are:The exemption from landfill tax for site clean-up is likely to be removed - in stages but by 2010Although the planning link has gone there are proposed exemptions from relief where some other statutory obligation has been imposed - e.g. listed building repair notices, notices under Town and Country Planning for environmental impact etc.Treasury has released its response and invites responses back to this in the run up to Budget 08 when more detailed proposals will be published. HBF will be preparing a response for review through the Majors Finance Directors' group.View the Treasury paper to topHousing Market News Construction outlook makes government housing targets unlikelyA slowing housing market has dampened confidence in the profit outlook of the UK construction industry, making it even more unlikely that the Government will reach its housing targets, says the RICS Construction Market Survey published this week.Growth in construction workloads eased back in the fourth quarter as house builders and businesses were hit by the effects of the credit crunch and demand for housing fell away. The outlook for profit remains gloomy with surveyors continuing to expect below average profit margins. Equally, confidence that workloads will increase has fallen for the fourth consecutive quarter, although it remains above the survey's long run average.View press releasePrices fall but market shows signs of recovery according to RightmoveThe latest House Price Index released by Nationwide on Monday shows: 0.8% (£1,968) average asking price fall this month reduces the annual rate of increase to 3.4%, its lowest since December 2005Third consecutive monthly fall, though signs of price stabilisation as majority of price drop is due to the rush of smaller properties to the market in mid December to beat their HIPs deadlineEarly January shows signs of market recovery despite time on the market and stock levels hitting record highs in DecemberActive start to New Year as buyer interest spurred by lower prices and falling interest ratesView house price indexto topIndustry NewsLiving in a new home could save a household £556 a year on energy bills and cut CO2 emissions by more than 60 per centA new research study by National Energy Services, commissioned by the New Homes Marketing Board, has found living in a new home could save up to £556 a year on average energy bills compared with older-style homes. These huge savings are made possible because new homes generate more than 60 per cent less CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of taking one car off British roads or driving 10,000 miles less a year per household.New Homes Marketing Board Chairman David Pretty CBE said: "With energy bills forecast to rise by up to 20 per cent this year, there has never been a better time to consider buying a new home and cut down on energy consumption. Indeed, Npower has already announced it will be passing on price rises of 17 per cent for gas and 12 per cent for electricity to its standard tariff customers. Many other providers are expected to follow."View full press releaseEcobuild 2008 - zero carbon in a dayEcobuild returns to Earls Court, London between 26-28th February 2008.The exhibition will be double the size with over 500 exhibitors, more than 75 free seminars and a series of new attractions linked to the key themes - zero carbon, water management and renewable energy.With zero carbon legislation looming, Ecobuild's Road to zero carbon - realised as a series of external wall elevations - shows how different combinations of superstructure, insulation and cladding can contribute to a low carbon outcome. It is anticipated that the Zero carbon house by Zedfactory, which will reach the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6, will attract the most attention at the show. This teamed with the dedicated zero carbon seminar programme should assist with educating delegates on ways to meet the forthcoming challenges.Register for your free invitation to the show now at www.ecobuild.co.ukto topHBF NewsHBF meets Opposition front bench spokesmenHBF Director of External Affairs John Slaughter held meetings this week with Conservative Environment Spokesman, Greg Barker MP, and Shadow Housing Minister, Grant Shapps MP. The meeting with Mr Barker focused on the zero carbon homes objective and related energy issues, including policy for promoting renewable. Discussions on housing concentrated on the Conservatives' wish to see a bottom up approach to housing provision through the planning system and how this might relate to the proposed introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Mr Shapps requested continued briefing on the development of the CIL.Michael Fallon's Planning and Energy BillHBF undertook further lobbying on this Private Member's Bill ahead of its second reading debate today. A briefing note setting out the basis of HBF's concerns was circulated to MPs and John Slaughter met former Energy Minister John Battle MP, one of the Bill's main sponsors, to explain our position.to topHBF Annual Industry Lunch - 10% discount on tables booked before 8th February 23rd April 2008 at the Hyatt Regency-The Churchill, London Please note due to high demand in previous years, places are strictly on a first-come first-served basis and booking early is highly recommended. For further details and to book online please click here.Alternatively contact the events team on 0207 960 1646 events@hbmedia.co.ukHBF Midlands AGM & Lunch 22 February 2008 at Sketchley Grange, HinkleyThis year the AGM is being held at The Sketchley Grange Hotel, Hinckley. This is an excellent chance for everybody working in the housing industry, at all levels, to review the previous year and forward plan for 2008, as well as networking with peers.For further details or to book visit the HBF website.Alternatively contact the events team on 0207 960 1646 events@hbmedia.co.ukFor other events please visit the website www.hbf.co.uk to topJo Weston
