Issue - meetings

To consider and to recommend to the Council for approval a new Housing Strategy to cover all aspects of housing in the District.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Housing Strategy, as attached as Appendix 1 to Report Item 4 to the Cabinet, be approved.

The Cabinet considered a new overarching Housing Strategy to cover all aspects of housing in the District, including its role in facilitating new development and also its own build and acquisitions programme.  A draft had been subject to consultation in September to November 2017 and had been updated in the light of the responses received and also changes in legislation and the emerging local plan for the period 2016-2036.  The Strategy identified four key priorities:

·      To accelerate and maximise future housing development that meets local need and leads to sustainable growth;

·      To increase the supply of high quality affordable homes through an ambitious council house building and acquisitions programme;

·      To improve the housing circumstances of those within our communities most in housing need;

·      To make the best use of housing to meet the housing needs of local people, including supporting a strong and quality private rented sector.

The actions to address the identified challenges were directly connected to the Council’s corporate plan and other key strategies and plans.  High priority would be given to council housebuilding, to include homes for social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership.  This mixed tenure programme would allow the Council to meet a wider range of housing needs and fund up to 600 new affordable homes up to 2026.  A proactive approach would be taken to using existing sites in the Council’s ownership and also acquiring additional land or working with developers to provide additional opportunities.

Three additional posts would be created in the Housing Development and Strategy Team to assist in the delivery of the Strategy, as set out in paragraph 4.1 of Report Item 4 to the Cabinet.

Mr Woodroof, the Tenant’s Representative, confirmed that the tenants were happy with all of the housing reports under consideration at this meeting and recognised the large amount of work that had been done in their preparation.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Housing Strategy, as attached as Appendix 1 to Report Item 4 to the Cabinet, be approved.