Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided details of the Housing Strategy, which had been approved in October 2011. The Strategy sought to deliver the strategic housing priorities for Medway and set the direction for housing in Medway until 2014. As such, it aimed to reflect policies and priorities at national, regional and local level. The Strategy was designed around three aims (Bridging the Gap, Early Prevention and Health and Housing) with seven outcomes and this report reviewed and assessed progress up to November 2013.

Details of progress against each of the aims was set out in the report and it was noted that across all the themes there had been significant progress against the priority actions. A total of 17 actions had been completed and the majority were on target to be delivered by 2014.

It was noted that the Strategic Housing Partnership Board was responsible for monitoring performance on a quarterly basis. The Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee had also considered this report on 5 December 2013 and its comments were set out in the report. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee had requested further information on the number of Extra Care Units, the mix of affordable housing between rented and shared ownership units and details of the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation visited.

Reasons:

The Housing Strategy and its Action Plan sets the strategic direction for Housing Services in Medway, contributing to the Council’s core values and strategic priorities and giving context for the attraction and investment of resources.