Agenda item

RECOMMENDATION:

1.       That the committee note the responses to the Economy and Housing Policy committee previous resolutions.

Councillor James Batho, Chairperson, introduced the report which set out a review of the Economy and Housing Policy Committee resolutions from the previous 12 months. The introduction included the following points:

1. Officers had compiled a summary of meetings held over the past 12 months, encompassing both housing and economy policy agenda items.
2. The report documented the recommendations and resolutions made, the officers' responses, and the progress of these policies through the council.
3. The Chairperson proposed to examine these updates and invited members to raise any questions, which could then be addressed by officers.
4. For items requiring more detailed responses, it was suggested that they be brought forward to a subsequent meeting.

Members were asked to note the responses to the Economy and Housing Policy Committee's previous resolutions. Several questions were asked arising from the contents of the report, and in summary, the following matters were raised:

1. Questions were raised regarding whether the impact of resident demand for window retrofits had affected any planned activities, and if so, what was the impact.
2. A point was raised about the potential to work with utility bill providers to distribute communications to residents, enhancing engagement in the retrofit housing programme, noting that this suggestion did not seem to be reflected in the action taken.
3. Clarification was sought on the current council position regarding the carbon credit trading scheme, specifically whether it was proceeding or not.
4. A suggestion was made to involve private homeowners and landlords in the retrofit project, particularly when neighbouring houses were involved, to improve efficiency—for example, offering asbestos clearance to private properties adjacent to council houses being retrofitted.
5. Clarification was sought on when the next future review of the festivals, events, and programming policy would be, as many of the action taken responses referred to it.
6. Assurance was sought that the council was adequately recovering costs for cleaning up and restoring locations after large events, particularly in areas like River Park, ensuring that the council was compensated for these expenses.
7. Clarification was sought on the process for informing ward councillors, especially in rural areas, about the local impacts of festivals and events, and what measures would be put in place to facilitate communication with councillors for events affecting their wards.
8. Clarification was sought on whether dates had been set for bringing forward the Older Persons Accommodation Strategy, or if it was still under discussion.
9. Clarification was sought regarding the absence of a response to item number seven of the Green Economic Development Strategy Action Plan.
10. Clarification was sought on the status of the partnership group mentioned in the Cultural Strategy, specifically whether it had been formed and if the terms of reference had been agreed.

These points were responded to by Simon Hendey, Strategic Director and Susan Robbins, Corporate Head of Economy & Community accordingly.

RESOLVED:

The committee noted the report.