Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director

Presented by the Housing and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to members, highlighting the recommendations from the Community Scrutiny Committee.

Members were happy with Recommendation 1, however had concerns with regards to Recommendation 2. The Portfolio Holder felt that the recommended target of 199 new homes per year may be difficult to achieve every year as the council control build out rates. Therefore he proposed the target be revised to 1,000 houses over a  5 year period.

Members felt that the wording of Recommendation 2b was unclear and that after the words “waiting list” the following text should be added to clarify – “with the purpose of informing applicants of their likely wait”. This would give more of an indication as to how long that wait would be.

The recommendations as amended were moved by Councillor R Bayliss and seconded by Councillor T Gillard.

RESOLVED THAT:

1)    The council write to government encouraging a reform of the Land Compensation Act.

2)    A target level of 1,000 new affordable homes over a 5 year period (rented and low cost home ownership) be included in the new housing strategy for new affordable housing development in the district subject to:

a)    An enhanced joint working partnership with other housing providers, including increasing the frequency of meetings with registered providers active in the district.

b)    Officers looking into waiting times targets for the various housing need bands on the housing waiting list with the purpose of informing applicants of their likely wait.

Reason for Decision: To inform the production of the updated Housing Strategy.