Agenda item

8.1

The Executive Director, Place Portfolio, submitted a report on the Council’s Housing Strategy 2013-2023.  The report attached, as appendices, the Draft Housing Strategy 2013-2023, the Draft Action Plan 2013-2016, which would be refreshed every three years to make it responsive to the local and national housing landscape, and Housing Strategy Performance Indicators.

8.2

Derek Martin, Director of Housing, Enterprise and Regeneration, introduced the report, inviting comments from the Committee prior to the submission of the report to the Cabinet for final approval.

8.3

Members of the Committee raised questions and the following responses were provided:-

·               A small team of officers in Development Services was working with developers in order to encourage them to construct more properties in the City, advising them on what the Council would like to see in terms of development in the City, and stressing the importance of providing both affordable and quality accommodation.

·               The Council was aware of the fact that people needed a choice in terms of properties they wished to move to, and that they shouldn’t be forced to move out of the area in which they lived to get such a choice.  On this basis, there was a need to review the types of accommodation in each area of the City to ensure, where possible, that there was a reasonable mix of accommodation in each area.

·               All owners of long-term empty properties in the City have been contacted and requested, where relevant, to take any necessary steps to bring their properties back into use.  They have also been provided with advice in terms of re-letting their properties, including details whereby the Council or Housing Associations could sub-let the properties. 

8.4

RESOLVED: That this Committee:-

(a)

notes the contents of the report now submitted, together with the responses to the questions raised;

(b)

thanks Derek Martin and his colleagues for the work involved in drafting the Housing Strategy and for responding to the questions now raised; and

(c)

requests that any further views and comments on the housing priorities identified in the Housing Strategy be referred to Derek Martin prior to submission of the Strategy to the Cabinet for final approval.