Agenda item

This report reviews and assesses progress against the targets set out in the Housing Strategy 2011-2014.

The Chairman recommended and the Committee agreed that Item 8 be brought forward to enable officers to respond to implement emergency plans due to flood warnings in Medway.

Discussion

The Head of Strategic Housing introduced the annual review of the Housing Strategy 2011-14 and outlined progress against the targets within the Housing Strategy Action Plan. The report was due to be considered by the Cabinet on 17 December 2013.

Members then raised a number of issues and questions including:

·                    a request for a briefing note for the Committee projecting the number of Extra Care Units required in Medway over the next ten years in response to the rapidly ageing population and how this might be achieved;

·                    a request for a briefing note for the Committee on the breakdown of the mix of affordable housing between rented and shared ownership units, noting that the Council had met its target of 60% rented and 40% shared ownership over the last five years. Members suggested there would be an opportunity to include an emphasis on the provision of affordable housing across Medway in the Local Plan when refreshed;

·                    a request for a briefing note on the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) visited under the Council's Inspection framework and in response to complaints and setting out performance in relation to inspection targets;

·                    the view that that the links between poor quality HMOs and health need to be recognised and a strategic lead taken by the Council on this;

·                    a request for Ward Members in All Saints, Luton and North Gillingham wards (ie Chatham Central, Luton and Wayfield and Gillingham North wards respectively), to be advised of the work that is being undertaken in relation to addressing housing issues within these areas particularly through partnership working in the communities;

·                    the ongoing challenges involved in persuading Landlords to let accommodation to tenants under the Home Bond scheme noting that a new funding system for the Home Bond scheme was being piloted aimed at achieving better take-up;

·                    the importance of local analysis of the impact of changes to energy efficiency funding and commissioning with feedback to Central Government to assist with targeting of resources;

·                    the need to monitor the impact of the changes relating to under occupancy on Medway residents in the context of the Council's equalities duties. Members were assured that the housing allocations policy gives priority to those affected and that advice and assistance was on offer;

·                    a request for the report to the next meeting of the Committee on long term empty properties to address the impact of no longer having any empty homes officers. Members were advised that the number of empty homes in Medway was at its lowest for ten years and that the forthcoming report would describe a number of initiatives underway to further improve the position.

Decision:

a)     The Committee noted the progress against the aims of the Housing Strategy

b)     The Committee requested briefing notes on:

i)       the number of Extra Care Units likely to be required in Medway over the next ten years in response to the rapidly ageing population and how this might be achieved

ii)     the breakdown of the mix of affordable housing between rented and shared ownership units

iii)   the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) visited under the Council's Inspection framework and in response to complaints, setting out performance in relation to inspection targets.