Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIECTOR – HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

The proposed Housing Strategy (2024-2029) provides a strategic framework for the Council to undertake these functions and succeeds the previous Housing Strategy (2019-2024).

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1)   Approved the adoption of the Council’s Housing Strategy (2024-2029).

(2)   Delegated to the Director of Housing and Environmental Health in conjunction with the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, the power to make minor amendments to the Strategy.

(3)   Delegated to the Director of Housing and Environmental Health in conjunction with the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, the power to agree an annual action plan which will set out the specific actions to be undertaken to implement the Housing Strategy.

(4)   For matters that are not reserved for Cabinet, delegated to the Director of Housing and Environmental Health in conjunction with the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, the power to decide on the specific allocation of homelessness funding received from central government in order to meet homelessness priorities, for the duration of the Strategy.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: The current Housing Strategy is coming to the end of its life. The proposed new Strategy will enable the Council to continue to undertake its strategic housing responsibilities over the next five years in a planned, transparent and inclusive manner.

Audio recording – 4 minutes 58 seconds

Councillor, Sean Prendergast, as Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, presented the report entitled ‘Adoption of a New Housing Strategy’ and advised that this was the Housing Strategy for the next five years which set out the housing priorities for the district and highlighted some of the key points:

·       To bring back empty homes into use to help reduce housing needs.

·       To continue to work with the victims of domestic abuse who were some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

·       The soft launch of the Tenants Charter which would enable residents to be aware of their rights and responsibilities.

·       Ensuring the maximum level of 40% affordable housing in the District as outlined in the Local Plan was achieved, by working with partners.

In response to a question from Councillor Ian Albert, Councillor Sean Prendergast advised that although challenges were significant and the funding from local government was not enough, the housing team worked incredibly hard with housing providers to prevent homelessness in the community. 

The following Members took part in a debate:

·       Councillor Alistair Willoughby

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

Points raised in the debate included:

·       This was an excellent report and commended the hard work of all involved.

·       This report complemented the Empty Homes Strategy and Members looked forward to the launch of the Tenants Charter.

·       The robust strategy to support communities going forward which was the result of the hard work of the Officers working with partners, was highlighted in Annex 1 of the report.

Councillor Sean Prendergast proposed, and Councillor Alistair Willoughby seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1)   Approved the adoption of the Council’s Housing Strategy (2024-2029).

(2)   Delegated to the Director of Housing and Environmental Health in conjunction with the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, the power to make minor amendments to the Strategy.

(3)   Delegated to the Director of Housing and Environmental Health in conjunction with the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, the power to agree an annual action plan which will set out the specific actions to be undertaken to implement the Housing Strategy.

(4)   For matters that are not reserved for Cabinet, delegated to the Director of Housing and Environmental Health in conjunction with the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, the power to decide on the specific allocation of homelessness funding received from central government in order to meet homelessness priorities, for the duration of the Strategy.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: The current Housing Strategy is coming to the end of its life. The proposed new Strategy will enable the Council to continue to undertake its strategic housing responsibilities over the next five years in a planned, transparent and inclusive manner.