Issue - meetings

1.  That the Action Plan attached at Appendix E to the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services – Maidstone Housing Strategy 2016-2020, showing achievements against the stated outcomes from the previous Housing Strategy 2011-15 be approved.

2.  That the Key Priority Themes identified for the new Housing Strategy 2016-2020 be approved for consultation with key partners and stakeholders, in order to develop the Action Plan outlined at Appendix A (to the report) and stated outcomes for each Key Priority Theme with the following amendments:

·  The addition of the following wording to the end of Priority 1: to develop sustainable communities; and

·  The removal of the figure of 18,500 from the Priority 1 outcomes.

John Littlemore, Head of Housing and Communities introduced the Housing Strategy 2016-2020 report.  The Committee was asked to consider the Key Priority Themes identified for a new Housing Strategy, approving them for consultation with key partners and stakeholders in order to develop the Action Plan. 

The Committee was given a background to housing dating back to the Industrial Revolution which saw a move to urban areas and the relationship between poor housing standards and poor health develop. This led to a health inequality cycle that exists to the present day.

It was explained that the Housing Strategy was trying to tackle this.  It was not just looking at affordable housing; it would be addressing the entire housing market.

During the course of the discussion the following points were made:

·  Housing completions had fallen significantly since 1980.

·  Privately rented property was dominating social housing in the housing rental market for the first time since World War 2.

·  The number of homelessness decisions made by the Council had increased from 80 in April 2011 to 604, representing a 655% increase over the last 5 years.  From April 2015, 314 decisions have already been made.

·  As a result of homelessness and the lack of available affordable housing the use of temporary accommodation has increased.  In the past five years the net cost to the Council had increased from £118,620 to £584,055.

·  The Council had an Empty Homes Strategy in place.

In relation to Priority Theme 1 Outcomes, the figure of 18,500 homes was identified in the Strategy. This was in reference to the emerging Local Plan.  As the proposed Housing Strategy related to the period 2015-2020 and the Local Plan period ended in 2031, members felt that the reference to the number of homes should be removed.

The Committee considered housing development and felt that a key theme of the emerging Local Plan was developing sustainable communities. Therefore it was proposed that the following wording be added to the end of Priority Theme 1: to develop sustainable communities.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Action Plan attached at Appendix E to the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services – Maidstone Housing Strategy 2016-2020, showing achievements against the stated outcomes from the previous Housing Strategy 2011-15 be approved.

For:8    Against:0  Abstentions:0

2.  That the Key Priority Themes identified for the new Housing Strategy 2016-2020 be approved for consultation with key partners and stakeholders, in order to develop the Action Plan outlined at Appendix A (to the report) and stated outcomes for each Key Priority Theme with the following amendments:

·  The addition of the following wording to the end of Priority 1: to develop sustainable communities; and

For:8  Against:0  Abstentions:0

·  The removal of the figure of 18,500 from the Priority 1 outcomes.

For:6    Against:0  Abstentions:2