Issue - meetings

1.    That the progress of the objectives against year 2 of the Housing Strategy delivery plan be noted as outlined in report CAB3534(H).

2.    That the emerging challenges that have arisen since November 2024 be noted.

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

Councillor Reach and the Corporate Head of Housing introduced the report, which provided the second annual update on the progress of the Housing Strategy adopted in November 2023.

The Corporate Head responded to questions and comments raised by councillors as summarised below:

a)    The potential impact if the Homeless Prevention Grant was reduced or stopped, specifically concerning the discretionary grant element.

b)    Further clarification on the implications of the Renters’ Rights Act on the council’s workload and enforcement duties for the approximately 8,600 privately rented properties in the district.

c)    Concerns were raised regarding whether the level of fines imposed on landlords would cover the costs of taking enforcement action to court.

d)    Further clarification was sought on the potential risks posed by Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and in particular, the anticipated requirements to seek ministry approval for even minor expenditure once the Structural Changes Order was agreed.

e)    Further information was sought on the location and size of the 391 properties expected to be delivered by Registered Providers in the district. The Service Lead agreed to provide a report on these properties following the end of the financial year and suggested this be included in the next new homes update.

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 year 2 of the Housing Strategy delivery plan be noted as outlined in report CAB3534(H).

2.              That the emerging challenges that have arisen since November 2024 be noted.

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