Issue - meetings

That the new draft Housing Strategy be agreed.

Decision

For members to review and provide comments on the new draft Housing Strategy.

Corporate objectives

Building strong and vibrant communities. Providing good quality affordable homes, in particular for those most in need.

Deputy Monitoring Officer

Following the Deregulation Act 2015, there is now no legal requirement to have a Housing Strategy (although there is to have a Tenancy Strategy, Allocations Policy and Homelessness Strategy).  However it is a useful policy document to set out the Council’s approach to housing in a strategy and allows Members to scrutinise delivery.

Deputy S.151 Officer

The HRA financial business plan requirements are based on the overall housing strategy and the principles outlined in this report are funded through the approved HRA budgets and medium term financial plan.

Advice

Councillor Griffiths introduced the report and said the housing strategy has been reviewed and been to Housing and Community OSC and consultees for comment.

N Beresford said this strategy replaces the one for 2013-18 and is linked to the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan. It outlines visions for the service and sets out the key issues faced, has climate provisions in place and the commitment for housing condition improvements.

Councillor England said climate change was raised at Housing and Community OSC but can’t see any reference to it in the document.

N Beresford said the document had been updated and reflects the commitments made. The revised version will be distributed to members.

Recommendations agreed.