Issue - meetings

The Head of Housing and Health introduced the report of the Service Manager Housing Service, which set out the progress made in 2019/20 in delivering the strategic objectives stemming from the Housing and Health Strategy Action Plan 2016-20 and the proposed new actions for 2020/21.

Councillor Ward-Booth noted that the anticipated number of affordable units to be delivered in 2020/21 was fewer than that achieved in 2019/20 and asked whether any increase was expected going forward, given developments in the pipeline.   He also asked what funds were currently held by the Council in commuted sums for affordable housing. 

The Head of Housing and Health stated that the number of affordable housing units delivered did fluctuate from year to year and may be affected by the Covid-19 emergency but was kept under close observation.  Regarding commuted sums, approximately £2.1m was currently held.

Councillor Snowdon asked for further information on the proposed change to the negotiation process as referred to at Objective 1.8 in the report.  The Head of Housing and Health advised that the proposed template was intended to ensure that East Herts Council’s requirements in relation to affordable housing, nominations to properties etc were clear and up-front at the start of negotiations, in order to avoid unnecessary subsequent delays later.  Overall the Council’s record in achieving affordable housing was good, with the Development Plan target of 40% being achieved for most major (i.e. over 10 units) developments, the only exceptions being where there was external validation that this was not viable in a particular case.

Councillor Goldspink thanked the Officers for the report.  She particularly welcomed Objective 1.4 regarding research into options for affordable housing delivery; and Objective 3.2, to ensure that the Council’s temporary accommodation offer was fit for purpose. 

Councillor Brady referred to the figure of 675 affordable housing units delivered between 2017 and 2020 and asked what percentage this represented of the total supply of new homes over that period.  She further enquired as to the precise level of affordable housing that had been negotiated in respect of the approximately 600 total units for the development in the Sele area in Hertford.  The Head of Housing and Health stated that these figures were not available at the meeting but he undertook to circulate the information separately to the Committee Members.      

The Chairman proposed and Councillor Goldspink seconded, a motion that the recommendations in the report be approved.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the Committee note progress in delivering the objectives stemming from the Housing and Health Strategy Action Plan 2016-21;

(B)        suggestions regarding actions for 2020/21 that contribute to the overall Strategic Objectives be passed to the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Head of Housing and Health for consideration; and

(C)        the Head of Housing and Health stated that he would provide Members with affordable housing figures as referred to above.