Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Housing Strategy and Delivery Manager providing an update on the work that has been undertaken over the last twelve months to achieve the objectives in the Housing Strategy Action Plan.

Executive Councillor: R Fuller.

The Cabinet has acknowledged the work completed against the objectives in the Housing Strategy Action Plan and approved the use of the Action Plan for the remaining years of the Housing Strategy 2021-25.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Housing Strategy and Delivery Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were updated on the work that has been undertaken over the last twelve months to achieve the objectives in the Housing Strategy Action Plan.

In introducing the report, the Chairman, as Executive Councillor for Housing and Economic Development, drew Executive Members attention to notable achievements within the plan, namely the annual achievement of housing delivery targets and work with developers and registered providers to prioritise the achievement of 40% affordable housing. In noting the timeframe column within the action plan, a suggestion was made by the Executive Councillor for Recovery to categorise the actions into priority groupings, for example first priority actions, second priority actions, etc.

In welcoming the report and in noting the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  to acknowledge the work completed against the objectives in the Housing Strategy Action Plan; and

(b)  to approve the use of the Action Plan for the remaining years of the Housing Strategy 2021-25.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Housing Strategy Action Plan Update.

By means of a report by the Housing Strategy and Delivery Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Housing Strategy One Year On report was presented to the Panel.

Following a comment from Councillor Roberts on positive messaging around the development of rural exception sites, the Panel heard that all parishes were communicated with on this matter. It was stressed that these types of developments are positive for local communities in providing much needed housing options for those who have a connection with the parish. The Panel was also advised that the district council aims to involve local communities and parishes from the outset to allow for their engagement and to work together towards a positive outcome.

Following a further question from Councillor Roberts, it was clarified that some sites identified under the Longhurst contract were not financially viable for this type of development but that alternative development options were being investigated.

In response to a question from Councillor Wakeford, the Panel heard that the figures in point 1.1 of the Action Plan were not comparable with the figures in 1.2 . Although an affordable housing target is set for each development, every development is unique and has many different factors to be considered, therefore a target of 40% is not always achievable. However, the Panel also heard that some developments are able to overdeliver on this target thereby the overall target is being met. The Panel were informed that the purpose of the Housing Strategy Action Plan is to boost the affordable housing already being committed to by developers.

Following further questions from Councillor Wakeford regarding the green status of point 1.1, the Panel were informed that the target was an average in order to ensure that the lifetime target of the Local Plan be met. It was clarified that factors outside of the control of the Council must be taken into account, and that the overall target is on track. The point of how this was monitored and recorded was noted and will be discussed separately.

The report was welcomed by Councillor Dew, who stated that with only being one year into the plan the progress  was as expected. He reminded the Panel that planning lag and the delays to housing caused by the pandemic must also be taken into account, furthermore, those developments being approved now would help to ensure targets are met in the future.

Having welcomed the report, the Panel thereupon

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendations contained within the report.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Housing Strategy Action Plan Update. Report to follow.