Agenda item

Response to the Housing Crisis - Request from Executive of 14 October 2021

(Executive Minute E.51/21 refers)

 

Minutes:

O&S.33/21     

Following the Executive meeting held on 14 October 2021, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been tasked to review the attendant report (Minute E.51/21 refers).

 

The Leader of the Council informed the Committee that the housing crisis action programme was in its infancy and, as the decision had only been taken recently, officers had not yet had the time to discuss with Members any proposed actions.  It was acknowledged that there may be need for extra resources to support the programme, but that officers would review this and a report, including budget proposals, would be brought to the Executive meeting on 2 December 2021.

 

The Leader confirmed that the Executive wished to progress this at pace and that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee could help speed the process by forming two Task and Finish Groups, rather than the Working Group that the recommendation was proposing.  One Task and Finish Group could explore what other rural districts have done to provide affordable housing, with the suggestion to review Staffordshire as they had provided affordable housing for the last 15 years.  The second Task and Finish Group could then look at successful Community Land Trusts (CLTs) and report their conclusions back to the Executive.  The Chairman responded by stating that these requests should be added to the Committee’s recommendations when they were placed before the Executive.  The Chairman recommended the Cornwall CLT as a successful model to study.

 

One Member felt that there were sufficient housing numbers already, and the figure of houses required had only been a broad estimate.  The types of houses that were being built were also not of the stock that were required.  The overriding need was for affordable housing.  Another Member stated that the definition of affordable should be reviewed.

 

A Member commented on Empty Dwelling Management Orders which could now only be invoked after two years instead of six months as had been originally stated.  The Member felt this was an area that the Council could lobby on to return the time empty to the previous six months.

 

It was then:

 

RESOLVED

 

That the O&S Committee welcomed and supported the Executive's response in addressing the housing crisis and commented on the report as follows:

 

1.      The ambitious programme for tackling the housing crisis warrants the employment of a full-time project management & delivery officer dedicated to ensuring that the measures proposed are implemented without delay. It is recommended that the cost of the employment of a housing emergency officer be allowed for in the 2022/23 budget and beyond. If possible, funds be allocated to enable the officer to commence employment before the commencement of the next municipal year.

2.      Strongly supports the priority of engagement with the town and parish councils and local Members to establish a means of locating sites within their area that can be mutually supported for development of affordable housing.  This should start with sites that have the benefit of some feasibility work. To assist officers in this process a politically balanced Members’ working group, and an all member workshop, will be held at the soonest opportunity to discuss possibilities within wards and the wider district. These to be set up and report back to the Executive on a regular basis.

3.      The housing crisis programme include a provision for the Council to encourage and assist in the formation of further Community Land Trusts in South Hams for the provision of affordable housing and based on the model of the Cornwall Community Land Trust

 

 

Supporting documents: