Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 1st March 2016.

The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 1st March 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

No declarations were received.

A copy of the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and to comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.

The Panel received and noted the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which has been prepared by the Executive Leader for the period 1st April 2016 to 31st July 2016.

To resolve:

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains information relating to financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

The Panel is to receive the Draft Housing Strategy 2016-19 for discussion.

With the aid of a report by the Housing Strategy Manager, the draft Housing Strategy for 2016-19 was presented to the Panel. Recent Overview and Scrutiny work on affordable housing and Registered Providers (RPs) has informed the strategy, including the recent study day which investigated challenges faced by seven local RPs. An action plan included in the strategy lists how the housing elements of the new Corporate Plan will be delivered.

The strategy has a suggested 3-year lifespan but the current pace of change in national policy means further reviews are likely to be required within this period to ensure it is kept up to date. It covers housing issues facing the district, including current and emerging national policy proposals such as those in the Housing and Planning Bill 2015. This Bill is expected to introduce radical changes affecting the Council and its partners, including the extension of Right to Buy to housing association tenants, ‘pay to stay’ where tenants with household income of more than £30k per year would be charged higher rent and a new starter homes initiative.

Starter homes built under this scheme would be sold at a maximum of 80% of market levels, capped at £250k outside London, and the discount would be passed onto the next occupant if sold within the first five years. If sold in year 5 onwards, then the home can be sold at 100% of market value and the affordable element is lost. The £250k cap was not considered to represent an affordable home in Huntingdonshire. Further welfare reform is expected to affect rents and the ability of tenants to cover housing costs. Reducing the cap on housing association rents to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) cap should be manageable for general needs housing but not for supported housing which costs more to run. However, the cap for supported housing has been put on hold by Government for a year pending further analysis.

The local context for the strategy is focussed on the demands presented by population growth and the district’s ageing population. Housing stock is in good condition in general but house prices are high and rising, with the latest estimate of average prices now £252k. This means that affordability for local residents is an increasing problem. Assessment of future housing need shows that 21,000 additional dwellings are needed over the Local Plan period with just over 8,000 of these being affordable.

Actions in the strategy are listed by Corporate Plan strategic priorities and objectives. Planned activities around enabling communities include community development work on large sites, homelessness prevention and support to help vulnerable people live independently through provision of aids and adaptations. A specific need for additional supported housing for adults with learning disabilities has resulted in proposals being developed for new schemes in St Ives and Godmanchester which will be progressed subject to funding.

The Council’s focus on growth will see significant development at three sites contributing over 60% of the total dwellings anticipated. It was noted that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To resolve:

that the press and public be re-admitted to the meeting.

RESOLVED

that the press and public be re-admitted to the meeting.

To consider the work programmes of the Economy and Growth and Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Panels.

The Panel received and noted a report by the Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which contained details of studies being undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel for Economy and Growth.

To consider a report on the Panel’s activities.

With the aid of a report by the Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel reviewed the progress of its activities since the last meeting.

It was noted that further reports on the health economy need to be scheduled for the next municipal year and that an update on mental health services will be scheduled for July.

The Working Group on Voluntary Sector Funding has held its second meeting, with Sue Grace from Cambridgeshire County Council attending to discuss their review of funding arrangements and move to a three year funding cycle. The possibility of working together was considered but both councils are at a different stage. Two further meetings are scheduled to identify the needs of the community, with the Citizens Advice Bureau and Hunts Forum invited to attend. This would inform a tender process for the provision of advice services. One member of the Working Group has stood down for personal reasons but it was agreed that the Group would continue with three Members.

Members were informed that a fruitful meeting of the Elderly Patient Care Working Group was held on 1st April. The Group was confident that improvements have been made since the study started, with a focus on better basic care and nutrition, and they were pleased to have concluded their work.

The Managing Director is exploring a timetable with Cambridgeshire County Council’s Chief Executive for the scrutiny of next year’s budget. Some minor adjustments to County Council budgets followed the Task and Finish Group’s comments in January but earlier involvement is expected next time.