Issue - meetings

1.  That the progress of the objectives against the Housing Strategy 2023-28 Delivery Plan be noted as outlined in the report CAB3491(H).

2.  That the emerging challenges that have arisen since November 2023 be noted.

3.  That the amended delivery action plan for 2023-2028 be approved.

Lin Mellish (TACT Board) noted the significant amount of work ongoing and requested that where any new or updated policies were drafted, the consumer standard groups and tenants involved be consulted in a timely manner when there is an opportunity for them to influence their development. 

Councillor Westwood agreed that consultation with tenants was very important and was a core remit of the TACT Board.

Ian Tait spoke during public participation as summarised briefly below.

He queried what measures the council was undertaking to help registered providers to supply affordable housing across the district.  He also believed that the build cost for Alfred Homes to deliver 10 new properties in Sparsholt was significantly less than the council’s build costs.

Councillor Westwood and Service Lead – New Homes responded to the comments made by Mr Tait.

Councillor Westwood, the Strategic Director, the Corporate Head of Housing and relevant Service Leads responded to questions and comments raised by councillors as follows:

a)    Whether the proposed s106 acquisitions of new homes were in the right place and of the right size to meet established and predicted housing demand.

b)    The potential challenges of ongoing maintenance of the housing stock where homes were widely distributed across the district.

c)    The possible impact on location of new homes because of the eastern part of the district being located within the South Downs National Park.

d)    A query relating to the frequency of visits of community engagement officers and a request that ward councillors be informed when visits were undertaken in response to a ward councillor’s report of anti-social behaviour issues.

e)    Future engagement with registered providers and also future proposals to assist tenants within the private sector.

f)      Future proposals and likely timetable for the review of the disabled facilities grant.

The Cabinet Committee agreed the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.             That the progress of the objectives against the Housing Strategy 2023-28 Delivery Plan be noted as outlined in the report.

2.             That the emerging challenges that have arisen since November 2023 be noted.

3.             That the amended delivery action plan for 2023-2028 be approved.