Issue - meetings

Recommendation from the meeting of the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 14 January 2021 on the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR).

That the Annual Monitoring Report be approved for publication.

Recommendation from the meeting of the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 14 January 2021 on the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR).

The Annual Monitoring Report reports on a number of indicators. Some of the report relates specifically to policies in Draft Local Plan and some are contextual on how Borough’s population and places are performing.

The AMR 2019/20 reports on progress for 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.

Some of the key indicators in the AMR are:

The Office for National Statistics 2019 mid-year population estimates show population growth of 0.2% for Welwyn Hatfield to just over 123,000 people.

There were 673 housing units completed in 2019-2020, including 69 affordable houses.

94% were flats, including new blocks along Broadwater Road and 272 self-contained studio student flats in Hatfield.

The Borough has 2.58 years of housing land supply, based on Government standard method which sets target for 875 homes per year.

Housing Land Supply situation will be reviewed once Local Plan progresses.

Over the year Net loss of 6,000 sqm of employment floorspace.

Out-of-work claimant rate has increase from 1.7% in March 2019 to 4.5% by Oct 2020, due to impacts of Covid-19.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019 showed no lower super output areas in most deprived 10% in country.  Hatfield Central is in bottom 20% due to poor crime performance and issues in education, skills/training, barriers to housing and services.  Officers will look at ways to improve this situation.

Welwyn Garden City town centre vacant frontage length has increased from 4.1% to 8.6%.

Hatfield town centre vacant frontage length has increased from 13.8% to 16.5% but has gained new centrally located library.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Monitoring Report be approved for publication.