Decisions

N Brathwaite introduced the report on behalf of J Cooper introduced the report, the purpose of this report is to consult with the committee and offer the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to the Housing Allocations Policy.

J Cooper/N Brathwaite was happy to take questions on the report.

Cllr Imarni referred to 1.41. Are 5 points enough to get people to attend the training.

N Brathwaite said it depends what property they are applying for. A 2 bed can go for 100 points and a 3 bed can go for 20 points. 5 points is sufficient.

Cllr Imarni asked if the training is making a difference.

N Brathwaite said training has changed; it covers key areas and is very effective.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe referred to page 140 sections 5, could you please clarify as this is a little confusing, if a married couple split are we not discriminating against the person who was there.

N Brathwaite said this is very challenging for the team. They do their best to avoid allocating two 2 bedroom properties, we need to ensure its being managed effectively and do take court papers into consideration and ensure that management of housing stock is balanced with demand/legal requirements.

Cllr Imarni asked what happens when a separated couple have shared custody.

N Brathwaite said again there are challenges here, they do support them and again it’s a challenge for best use of property. If a person has an extra bedroom they would pay bedroom tax and if they earned a lot then they could privately rent so again each case is looked at and supported.

Cllr Silwal asked if we are notifying people of the removal of register.

J Cooper said yes they do communicate with them and they can amend their application if anything has changed and if applicants don’t meet the criteria they will be notified and removed.

Cllr England referred to page 140 could we update the correct term. The policy needs to recognise that a divorce is hard on kids; shared parenting is on the increase and puts pressure on housing.

N Brathwaite noted this.

Cllr Griffith said that when you play with the policy some will win and some will lose, as much as we would like to solve every problem its impossible and we have limited stock.

Action:  None

Outcome:   Report Noted.

See CA/098/17 Public Participation.

1.    Agree the following for consultation (included in the reports to Cabinet):

a)    Issues and Options consultation document (Annex 1)

b)    Draft Schedule of Site Appraisals (Annex 2)

c)    Sustainability Appraisal Working Note – Issues and Options document (Annex 3).

d)    Sustainability Appraisal Working Note – Schedule of Site Appraisals (Annex 4)

2.  Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Planning and Regeneration, in consultation with the Planning and Regeneration Portfolio Holder, to:

a)     agree detailed consultation arrangements; and

b)    Make any minor changes to the documents referred to above before they are finally published.

The Cabinet Forward Plan was noted.

None

Mr Bright, of Grove Fields Residents Association, addressed the Cabinet, and was given responses to the questions he submitted. The text of his statement/questions and the responses will appear in the full minutes.

None submitted.

There were no apologies for absence.

1.    Note the progress of the replacement Parking Enforcement contract process, in particular the introduction of newer technology to improve the enforcement service.

2.    Subject to submitted tender costs falling within the approved budget, delegate authority to the Assistant Director (Finance & Resources) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources to award the contracts for an initial 5 year period.

3.    Subject to satisfactory performance, delegate authority to the Assistant Director (Finance & Resources) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources to extend the contracts in such a period or periods as deemed appropriate up to a maximum of five (5) years, providing a total possible Contract Period of ten (10) years.

That the content of this report be noted.

To consider and approve the revised Protocol for Member/Officer Relations and Planning Code of Practice

Resolved to recommend:

1. to approve the Planning Code of Practice.

2.    to approve the Protocol for Member Officer Relations

The main items are finance, and we agreed include constitutional changes (if required) of which we will know for sure during Sept, and for info, the publication of the first BLR (Part 1) due for December

Resolved to recommend:

1.    To approve the sites listed in Part 1 of the Brownfield Land Register (BLR) as drafted in Appendix 1 of the report to Cabinet and delegate authority to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) to finalise the site specific information before publication noting that there will be no sites in Part 2 on first publication.

2.    Delegate authority to the Solicitor to the Council to amend the constitution to give effect to the following procedures and authorisations for administering the BLR:

(a)  “That the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) will be responsible for considering which sites go onto the BLR (Part 1 and 2)  for consultation, carrying out required consultation, and reporting the BLR to Cabinet and Council for final approval.

(b)  That applications for Technical Details Consent be dealt with in accordance with the existing scheme of delegation for all planning applications.”

Update to Cabinet on progression of the Council’s Housing Development programme including Temporary Accommodation, General Needs & Shared Ownership

1.    Notes the progress of the Council New Build Programme.

2.    Agrees that the shared ownership element of the Wood House development be changed to social rent, and that there be a reprofiling of planned capital expenditure to accommodate resultant changes to the cashflow.

3.    Approves an additional grant funding payment for affordable housing development in the Borough of £32,767.00 to Watford Community Housing Trustfor a development known as Goldcroft garage site, Hemel Hempstead bring the total funding for this project up to £845,000.00.

To consider the feasibility and way forward for delivering a museum at the Bury, working in partnership with Dacorum Heritage Trust

1.    That designs, reports and costs for the Bury Museum project are prepared for a first round application to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Heritage Grants programme, based on the scope as set out in the content of the report to Cabinet.

2.    That authority is delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) for the appointment of consultants and contractors to prepare a first round application to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Heritage Grants programme.

3.    That the detail of the draft first round bid is reported to Cabinet for approval prior to submission to take the project forward through the Heritage Lottery Fund process.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19^th September 2017 were agreed by the members present and signed by the Chairman.

1.    Cabinet support the principle of the Council being a part of a Hertfordshire wide bid to take part in the Government’s proposed 100% Business Rates Pooling Pilot commencing 1 April 2018; and,

2.    Cabinet delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to approve the final application subject to final details being agreed between prospective pool members.