Agenda item

The Executive Member of Housing and Health submitted an update highlighting the successful performance on the Housing Strategy Action Plan 2008-11.  The report also sought support for a revision to the priorities to be incorporated within the new Housing Strategy due in October 2011 and which would cover the period 2011 to 2014.  The aims and objectives of the current strategy were outlined in the report now submitted.

The Housing Strategy and Policy Manager stated that the Council and its partners had made significant progress in the actions contained within the plan, the detail of which was set out in the report now submitted.  Of particular note:-

Action 1:  the Council’s success in increasing the supply of affordable housing including affordable rented housing and shared ownership and carrying out a strategic Housing market Assessment with partner local authorities. 

Action 6:  continuing to secure funding that provides an optimum mix of affordable housing in terms of type and tenure in the right location;

Action 16: Undertaking a comprehensive house condition survey in 2009/10.

The Housing Strategy and Policy Manager explained that with help from Planning Policy and Private Sector housing the housing service has begun the process of developing the next Housing Strategy.  The Government was also proposing significant changes to housing, planning laws and policies which would impact on the Council’s housing strategy and planning policies.  She referred to the recent agreement with the Housing and Communities Agency of a Local Investment Plan and their ability to provide grant funding for affordable housing and other powers relating to provision and explained the role of the Council’s  Local Investment Plan (LIP) in seeking funding from the HCA for affordable housing.  The LIP had been developed from four overarching “Challenges” these were:

Challenge 1: to maximise the delivery of a range of new affordable homes whilst ensuring the best use of existing housing

Challenge 2: meeting the needs of a growing elderly populating

Challenge 3: meeting the needs of vulnerable people and stronger communities

Challenge 4:  Economic Development, employment and skills

The Housing Strategy and Policy Manager explained that the East Herts’ LIP focussed on affordable housing developments and identified priorities for housing specific groups of people and vulnerable groups.  Officers therefore felt that Challenges 1, 2 and 3 identified in the LIP be used to develop the next Housing Strategy and associated Action Plan.

Councillor G McAndrew referred to the £100m proposed by the Government to bring empty homes back into use and referred to a number of empty homes in Bishop’s Stortford.  The Housing Strategy and Policy Manager referred to the Government’s Localism Bill which was proposing that more work be done around empty homes. 

The Chairman suggested that Councillor McAndrew speak on the matter to Officers separately and referred to the 700 empty homes in around the county of which, 200 were in Bishop’s Stortford.  He referred to a previous request to the Executive for more housing Officers to progress the issue of empty homes.  Councillor G McAndrew suggested that the Executive be reminded about this.  Councillor J O Ranger said that the Council’s target of bringing 10 empty homes back into use was being met.  

In respect of the Choice Based Letting Scheme, Councillor J O Ranger referred to the fact that he was aware that individuals might bid for a property which was located some distance away from their child/childrens’ town based school and of the impracticalities of this arrangement when moving out to a rural location such as his ward.

The Housing Strategy and Policy Manager explained the points system, how individuals bid for properties and the Council’s ability to exclude certain persons from the housing register.

Councillor V Shaw queried the issue of homelessness and the Council’s role and affordable homes and choice.  She was particularly concerned at the lack of two bedroom houses as only flats had been built recently.  The Housing Strategy and Policy Manager explained the process and the Council’s role in securing affordable homes from developers.

Councillor J O Ranger suggested that more should be done to encourage people to downsize from their homes which might now be too big for them and that they should be helped with the costs.  The Housing Strategy and Policy Manager explained the Council’s incentive scheme to free up larger homes.  She stated that in addition to financial incentives, many needed physical help with the process and some did not want to move.  She reported that the Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) were due to undertake an audit of occupation on their properties, with a view to identifying any under-occupation.  Members asked that when this was completed, they would like to have a summary of the findings.  She suggested that the Council and RSLs also needed to look at the way they were spending money on adaptations and review whether fully adapting larger property was cost effective when a move to a more appropriate property might mean far fewer or no changes were needed.

Members noted the progress on the Housing Strategy Action Plan 2008–11 and supported the revised strategic priorities Challenges 1, 2 and 3 set out in the report now submitted for incorporation within the next Housing Strategy due in October 2011.

RESOLVED – that (A) the progress on the Housing Strategy Action Plan 2008-11 be noted; and

(B)         the revised strategic priorities, Challenges, 1, 2 and 3 as set out in the report now submitted, be supported and agreed for incorporation within the next Housing Strategy due in October 2011.