Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor K.Holman and S.Smith (Independent Representative).

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2017 (circulated separately).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) which lists the actions from previous meetings and their current status.

The status of actions agreed at the Panel meeting on 18 September 2017 in the report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) was noted.

Presentation by the development architect (Pellings) on the different types of models available for the delivery of affordable housing in the Borough and to share ideas from other local authority areas.

Presentation by the development architect (Pellings) on the different types of models available for the delivery of affordable housing in the Borough and to share ideas from other local authority areas.

In response to questions it was explained that Pellings averaged a procurement of 300-400 housing units per annum for different  clients.

There had been a fluctuating use of pre-fabricated units.  Once out of the factory and on-site there was no control, but a roll-out of new modular solutions was expected.

The Panel noted that the Housing Revenue Account had £110M Head Room (the amount which the Council could borrow) and it was estimated that this could fund the delivery of 640 new homes-over four years.

Further clarity was still awaited from Government policy statements.

(Note:  The presentation has been circulated to Panel Members).

RESOLVED:

That the presentation from the development architect (Pellings) on the direct provision of social housing be noted.

Report of the Executive Director (Housing and Communities) providing an update on the Council’s Affordable Housing Programme (AHP). 

Report of the Executive Director (Housing and Communities) providing an update on the Council’s Affordable Housing Programme. 

In response to a question about whether the open market purchase of properties was a more expensive option, it was explained that it was one of the delivery methods which could be used to reduce the risks of not securing the Council’s affordable housing programme.

It was noted that the management of Council new build sites was progressing successfully.

RESOLVED:

That the update on the affordable housing programme be noted.

Report of the Executive Director (Housing and Communities) set out the proposed policy for the implementation of the new powers together with a mechanism for calculating the level of penalty following the introduction of new statutory enforcement powers for private sector housing.

Report of the Executive Director (Housing and Communities) setting out the proposed policy for the implementation of the new powers together with a mechanism for calculating the level of penalty following the introduction of new statutory enforcement powers for private sector housing.

RESOLVED:

(1)     That the policy and procedure for calculating the level of financial penalty be endorsed and recommended to the Cabinet for submission for consultation with key stakeholders.

(2)     That following consultation, the results of the consultation and the final draft policy document be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.

Report of the Executive Director (Housing and Communities) to update Members on the approach to tackling rough sleeping locally and requests that the revised protocol be endorsed.

Report of the Executive Director (Housing and Communities) updating the Panel on the approach to tackling rough sleeping locally and requesting that the revised protocol be endorsed.

RESOLVED:

That the update on the approach to tacking rough sleeping locally and the revised Protocol be noted and endorsed as set out in Appendix A to the report.

The pro-forma which sets out the Panel’s work programme has been updated since the last meeting to enable forward planning of items to be considered to take place.

The pro-forma which set out the Panel’s work programme had been updated since the last meeting to enable forward planning of items to be considered to take place.

RESOLVED:

That the updated work programme be noted.