Issue - meetings

Note – this item will include a presentation by David Couttie Associates.

That the District Wide Housing Needs Survey to be published and used as information to guide the emerging Housing Strategy 2016-21, be approved.

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report detailing the key findings of the Housing Needs Survey 2015 carried out on behalf of the Council by David Couttie Associates (DCA).  The Executive member sought approval for the Housing Needs Survey results to be approved and published to guide the emerging Housing Strategy 2016-21.

David Couttie gave a presentation in which he outlined the methodology used and the key findings.  Arising from the Survey, the key messages were to:

·        focus new delivery in market housing to address future demographic and household formation change and to meet the need for smaller units across the stock;

·        address the under-occupation of almost 950 social rented properties to improve the turnover of family units and address the needs of 350 over-occupied households and those on the waiting list;

·        link new affordable delivery to the growth in older people and enabling a better flow of the existing stock; and

·        assess the Extra Care delivery strategy to meet the growth in 85+ year olds.

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing linked the Survey to other ongoing work, such as the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and the emerging District Plan.  He also referred to the challenges that would need to be met with the proposals in the latest Housing Bill.

In response to Members’ questions and comments, David Couttie referred to impending legislation intended to improve energy standards in the private rental housing stock.  The Housing Strategy and Development Manager also referred to the need to address the Study’s findings in updating the Council’s emerging Housing Strategy 2016-21.

The Leader thanked David Couttie for his presentation and asked Officers to circulate this to all Members.

The Executive approved the proposal as now detailed.

RESOLVED - that the District Wide Housing Needs Survey to be published and used as information to guide the emerging Housing Strategy 2016-21, be approved.