Issue - meetings

Arising from a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services, the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the Cabinet agree to the draft Housing Strategy being sent out for consultation.

Arising from a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services, the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the Cabinet agree to the draft Housing Strategy being sent out for consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Housing stated that the revised strategy covered all aspects of the Housing Service and contained objectives, targets and policies on how the authority intended to manage and deliver the strategic housing role in line with changes to Government housing policy and reforms to the welfare system.

Consideration was given to ongoing changes to Government policy and the need to deliver social housing for local people.

RESOLVED that the recommendation be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr N V Davey)

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive a report from the Housing Services Manager regarding the need to review the existing housing strategy.

The Group had before it a report * from the Housing Services Manager reviewing the existing housing strategy. The Head of Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report stating that the strategy needed to link in with the Corporate Plan as housing was a major part of the Council’s function. Providing affordable housing, looking after the housing stock, preventing homelessness, looking after an aging population and reducing the impact of welfare reform all needed to form a part of both documents. It was hoped that both would be in a position to be fully adopted by March 2016.

Discussion took place regarding who the Council would be consulting with. It was explained that consultation would take place with all registered providers as well as the private sector and bodies supporting homeless people such as CHAT (Churches Housing Action Team).

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that it agrees to the draft Housing Strategy being sent out for consultation.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs H Bainbridge and seconded by Cllr Mrs E M Andrews)

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed Minutes.