Agenda item

Councillor Westwood, Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the agenda item regarding proposals for the Housing Strategy 2023 - 2028, (available here). The introduction included the following points.

1. Despite the challenges faced in recent years, the housing market in the district functioned effectively.
2. There were high levels of housing completions, and property values remained resilient despite economic fluctuations.
3. There were challenges to address in providing affordable housing options for residents.
4. Winchester's reputation for high cost of living reflected in housing costs necessitated the creation of more affordable housing for rental, ownership, or shared ownership.
5. A key objective was to offer opportunities for younger individuals to either stay or relocate to the area.
6. There was a need to improve the quality and management of rented accommodation, including those in the private housing sector.
7. Meeting the climate emergency and managing higher energy costs required the development of highly energy-efficient homes contributing to a carbon-neutral district.
8. Specific segments of the community, including the elderly and those with disabilities or special needs, needed housing tailored to their unique requirements. This need was exacerbated by an ageing population.
9. Some neighbourhoods encountered challenges related to anti-social behaviour, prompting initiatives to collaborate with residents and create sustainable, enjoyable living environments.
10. The housing needs in the district were diverse and intricate, demanding ongoing reviews and updates to the housing strategy.
11. There was a commendable track record of achievements during the 2018-2023 period.
12. The presentation marked the inception of the review process, and he welcomed feedback from the committee.

Gilly Knight, Corporate Head of Housing provided the committee with a presentation (available here) and following an introduction, provided members with details on the following elements of the strategy.

1.    The National Policy and Context.

2.    The Local Policy and Context.

3.    The objectives of the Strategic Housing Marketing Assessment (SHMA).

4.    The Achievements of the Housing Strategy 2018-2023.

5.    The Evidence Base.

6.    The Challenges.

7.    The Strategy Vision, Mission, and Objectives.

8.    The Monitoring and Review Strategy.

9.    The Delivery Plan.

Councillor Lee addressed the committee, and made several points that could be summarised as follows:

1. There had been an increase in demand for housing services in the past four years, with a 36% rise in service approaches in 2020-23, and he asked if staffing levels were sufficient for the current and future demand.
2. That there was an absence of self-build or custom-build options in the housing strategy, missing opportunities to diversify the housing market and meet consumer choices. Self-build was notably absent from the housing strategy's evidence base and achievements for 2018-2023.
3. He suggested that support for self-help or custom build housing through funds like the UK Social Prosperity Fund or the Rural Prosperity Fund to foster diversification.
4. There had been reports of a significant influx of individuals moving from London into the area in recent years, raising questions about the council's data collection regarding residents' origins and residency duration in the district.
5. That a substantial number of younger residents were priced out of the local housing market, resulting in their relocation from the district. He asked about the council's data collection regarding resident departures the reasons behind such moves, and whether such data should be considered in the future.

David Chafe on behalf of TACT addressed the committee and highlighted the following points.

1. He acknowledged that the housing strategy was a live document and had undergone changes.
2. He asked about the housing list and whether individuals specifying areas they had an association with or wish to live in could potentially limit where new housebuilding could take place and whether this created a potential conflict.

The committee was recommended to comment on the proposals and proceeded to ask questions and debate the report. In summary, the following matters were raised.

1. Understanding the use of the term "affordable" in the presentation and its definition, especially concerning the high property costs in Winchester, which may disadvantage young adults.
2. Acknowledging the representation of rural areas and the concern about escalating house prices, particularly in market towns like Alresford, where the construction of new Council homes was limited.
3. Addressing the declining, private rental market in rural areas, where private landlords were selling properties, and residents were grappling with the challenge of finding affordable housing.
4. Clarification regarding the accommodation of Ukrainian families in the district, possibly through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and evaluating whether their unique housing needs were incorporated into the strategy.
5. Clarifying the plan for areas that do not meet the criteria as exception sites that may encounter housing-related challenges.
6. The allocation of housing for diverse demographics, encompassing students, the elderly, and families across the district, and exploring the utilisation of downsized residents' properties.
7. The mechanisms for residents to provide feedback and input regarding housing plans and the location of new housing developments.
8. Addressing the issue of housing for the elderly, particularly in well-established areas like Whiteley, and the significance of retaining residents within their existing communities.
9. Exploring proactive approaches to identify exception sites, moving beyond reliance solely on Parish Councils, and encouraging potential sites to come forward.
10. The development of relationships with registered providers in objectives one and three, recognising their role in implementing the Council's development strategy and enhancing the quality and management of the private housing sector.

These points were responded to by Karen Thorburn, Service Lead - Strategic Housing, Gilly Knight, Corporate Head of Housing and Andrew Palmer, Service Lead - New Homes Delivery accordingly and were noted by Councillor Westwood, Cabinet Member for Housing. The Chairperson summarised the views of the committee.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the contents of the presentation were noted.

2.    That the Cabinet Member and officers note the comments of the committee as outlined above.