Agenda item

To receive any Members' questions.

Councillor N Symonds asked the Executive Member for Planning and Growth the following question:

“With all the new developments going up in East Herts are we sticking to 40% social housing and not deviating from it regardless of pressure from the developers who often wriggle and squirm not to fulfil that percentage?”

Councillor J Goodeve reminded all Members that the Council did not own its own social housing stock but worked in partnership with registered housing providers to provide a range of affordable housing, including social rents, affordable rents and shared ownership.  On new developments the Council secured nomination rights, and the proposed policy requirement was as follows:  up to 35 percent on sites proposing 11 – 14 additional dwellings; up to 40 percent on sites proposing 15 or over additional dwellings.  There was no requirement for affordable housing provision on new developments where the number of additional dwellings was 10 or less, and lower provision would be permissible where it was shown that the standard percentage would not be viable, or where it would prejudice the need to secure other infrastructure priorities.  Applicants seeking to justify a lower proportion would be required to provide a Financial Viability Assessment as part of a planning application.

Councillor Goodeve said that in 2017/18, 182 affordable homes were completed in East Hertfordshire, which represented 29.6% of all completed dwellings in the District.   She said the SPD on affordable housing would shortly be out for consultation, and she encouraged all to participate. 

Councillor D Hollebon asked the Executive Member for Wellbeing: 

“How do you intend to build on the successes of the Community and Wellbeing Forum?”

Councillor E Buckmaster explained the purpose of the Community Wellbeing Forum.  Public engagement had been discussed by the Executive Members recently, and it had been clear that many of the Council's members already worked extremely hard to engage with communities.   Much of this work took place outside the formal meetings of the Council, through organisations and clubs across the District, many of which aimed to support the most vulnerable.  Member Champions had been appointed over the last two years, with roles spanning a range of areas including social isolation, mental health, walking and cycling, arts and culture, and youth.  The Forum would build on these existing links which Members already had in the community, to deliver the Council’s wellbeing and community initiatives.  Important work was being done in health and wellbeing, and making communities stronger, for example, social prescribing.  For example, many older residents had been introduced to activities supporting mental health and resulting in fewer GP surgery visits; and others had participated in the Breathe Easy Support Group.  The Council, both Members and Officers, would work to deliver the aims of the wellbeing strategy and the Forum would enable Member Champions to meet every two months.  Communication about this work was important, to encourage support and engagement.  The Autumn edition of The Link Magazine, which was delivered to every household, included information about the initiatives.  The Council also planned a dedicated social media page to raise awareness of this work. 

Councillor Hollebon asked whether the Forum would be considering any particular topics for 2020. 

Councillor Buckmaster said a calendar of World Wellbeing and National events was being arranged.  The Hertfordshire Year of Culture 2020 launch event in December was being planned and Members would be acting as ambassadors for the community to explain to groups how to apply for funding and seek support for arts and culture activities.  Finally, he was working to establish Healthy Herts in two locations, a County public health funded initiative, to provide places where residents could receive advice and support.   Members’ links to community and patient participation groups could help cascade support more widely, and he would encourage all to become involved.

Councillor A Huggins asked the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, “What steps has the Council made to implement the Armed Forces Covenant and how are the effects of these actions being monitored?”

Councillor P Boylan said the Armed Forces Act 2011 had introduced the principle of the Armed Forces Covenant, which was a promise by the nation that members of the Armed Forces would face no disadvantage in gaining access to services.  In 2012 Hertfordshire had launched one of the first such Covenants, and East Herts was one of the signatories.  The Armed Forces Covenant Board was responsible for delivering the aims and monitoring the impact of the Covenant.  The Board comprised representatives of several bodies, including the Royal British Legion and the 10 district and borough Councils, as well as the County Council.  The Board met twice a year, and Councillor Huggins had since earlier this year been appointed as the Council’s representative on the Board.  Although the Covenant covered a wide range of services, the most significant provided by this Council was housing. 

Following changes to the Housing Act in 2012, the Council had changed its policy and now the Council provided Forces and Families additional priority for social housing, when they had a defined need, and when the need was urgent.  The Council also allowed current members of the Armed Forces to join the Housing Register regardless of where they had previously been posted, and ensured they were not disadvantaged if they did not have a strong local connection to the district.  He encouraged all to visit the Council’s website page describing the work of the Armed Forces Covenant Board which also provided tailored advice to members of the Forces.  The Council was also commemorating veterans of the Armed Services and Royal British Legion through street names including in Buntingford and Bishop’s Stortford.  The progress of the Board was reported each year to the County Council which published the reports on its website.  He was willing to work with Councillor Huggins to seek further improvements in the future. 

Councillor Huggins asked the Executive Member if he was willing to arrange a meeting to explore the opportunity for the Council to become accredited under the Defence Employers’ Recognition Scheme. 

Councillor Boylan said he would certainly do so.

Councillor M Goldspink said her question had substantively already been answered.  Her question was to the Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability, as follows: “What progress is this Council making in the setting up of a District Environment and Climate Forum?  This Forum is designed to bring together all the excellent Community Groups so that they can share their knowledge and ideas with each other and with the Council.”

Councillor G McAndrew said setting up such a forum was a vital part of the Council’s climate change declaration.  The first meeting of the Forum would take place on 4 December, and would take the form of a summit, with the express aim of sharing local knowledge and ideas, to map out next steps.  Community Groups, Council Members and others were all invited.  The aim was to hold future meetings across the district to maximise engagement.  He asked all to publicise the Forum amongst their networks.

Councillor Goldspink asked that the Forum be publicised to local schools, in view of the interest shown by the young people here tonight. 

Councillor G McAndrew concurred. 

The Chairman said the time limit of 15 minutes had been reached, so the final question from Councillor C Redfern would be answered by Councillor Boylan as a written response, to be copied to all Members.