Minutes:
The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods presented the recommendation, which was referred to in the Executive report of 28 September 2021, regarding the Tenancy Strategy.
He said that each local authority was required to produce and review a Tenancy Strategy under the Localism Act. The Act was clear about what the strategy should cover and the Tenancy Strategy provided detail on what kind of tenancies should be offered as well as giving guidance on rent levels the council would like to see. The Tenancy Strategy was not concerned with affordable housing supply as this was the remit of the District Plan and the Housing Strategy.
East Herts’ planning policies have meant there has been a 10.2% increase in the number of affordable homes in the ten years to 2020, compared to 2.9% across Hertfordshire and 3.4% across England in the same period. The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Boylan, stressed that the Tenancy Strategy was only guidance but Registered Providers had been consulted and it was pleasing to see they were predominantly offering lifetime tenancies. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the strategy and whilst Members expressed disappointment that the council could not set rent levels, they endorsed the aspirations of the strategy.
Councillor Boylan proposed that the recommendation in the Executive report be supported. Councillor Wyllie seconded the proposal.
Councillor Goldspink said that the Liberal Democrat Group reluctantly accepted and supported the recommendation. She thanked Officers for their hard work in drafting the strategy under the restrictive limits imposed by the government. She said that East Herts had only built two houses for social rent in the last two years and Local Housing Allowances set by central government meant that local councillors do not have a say. She said that she was ashamed and angry as the council had failed to provide residents with homes. The Strategy has aspirations but it cannot be enforced. She hoped the Executive Member and the council would lobby the government to change the rules at every opportunity.
Councillor Redfern said that she agreed with Councillor Goldspink and asked if East Herts helped residents who failed affordability tests if they could not afford social rent.
Councillor E Buckmaster said that he was puzzled by Councillor Goldspink’s comments. He said that Councillor Boylan had demonstrated earlier in the meeting how well East Herts compared in Hertfordshire and nationally on the number of affordable homes built. He said that the Council were doing what it could within its District Plan and said the criticism was unjustified.
Councillor Wilson also thanked Officers for the strategy. He said that he was surprised that the Executive were pleased with the planning policies and the number of affordable homes. He asked whether an increase in homelessness and people in temporary accommodation was a positive outcome. He said that the council had struggled to provide affordable homes after selling their housing stock to housing associations. He referred to the Greater London Authority as its Local Plan ensures that developers provide affordable homes in every development.
Councillor Boylan said from his response to the Member Question earlier and in his introduction to the Tenancy strategy, it was quite clear that the council does need to do more and that was the plan moving forward.
The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded, was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, it was declared CARRIED.
RESOLVED - That the East Herts Tenancy Strategy for 2021-2026 be adopted.