Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no Substitute Members.

Councillor Burton was in attendance.

Councillor Barned was nominated for Chairman by Councillor Mrs Gibson and seconded by Councillor Hinder.  However, concern was expressed by other Members regarding a possible conflict of interest due to Councillor Barned being employed by Hyde Housing and being a Board Member of Golding Homes.  It was therefore

RESOLVED:

1.  That Councillor Barned be appointed Chairman for the meeting.

2.  That advice be sought from the Monitoring Officer regarding the possible conflict of interest and reported back to the next meeting.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Ms Griffin be elected Vice Chairman for the Municipal Year 2011/12.

Councillors Beerling, Mrs Gibson and Hinder declared a personal interest by virtue of being a former Board Member of Golding Homes.

Councillor Barned declared a person interest by virtue of being a Board Member of Golding Homes, Chairman of the Golding Vision Committee and an employee of Hyde Housing.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED:  That the following Political Group Spokespersons be appointed for the Municipal Year 2011/12:-

Conservative  Councillor Barned

Liberal Democrat  Councillor Ms Griffin

The Board considered the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services regarding the draft Housing Strategy 2011/12 – 2014/15.

In response to questions, Officers informed the Board that the consultation was undertaken in a variety of ways and therefore there was no “percentage return” available and that the Strategy does take into account migration into and out of the Borough.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Cabinet be recommended to agree the draft Housing Strategy 2011/12-2014/15 and recommend it to Council for adoption.

2.  That a copy of the adopted Housing Strategy 2011/12-2014/15 be passed to the Homes and Communities Agency (East Region) and the Department of Communities and Local Government for information.

The Board were asked to consider the topics they wished to receive in-depth training in.

RESOLVED:  That four evening training sessions be arranged within the next six months on the following topics:-

a)  Allocation Scheme and Choice Based Lettings

b)  Homelessness and housing advice

c)  Housing Standards and Management (to include responsibilities of the Landlord)

d)  Affordable Housing and Tenure Strategy

Officers circulated a list of issues that could be considered by the Board over the next year.  The Board discussed the list and

RESOLVED: That the work programme for the Municipal Year 2011/12 will include the following issues:-

i)  Affordable Rent

ii)  Tenure Strategy

iii)  Allocation Scheme

iv)  Homelessness

and will tie-in with the training sessions agreed in Item 10 above.

6.30 p.m. to 7.50 p.m.