Agenda item

Housing Regeneration Cabinet Liaison Group

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Leytham & Hanson)

 

Report of the Heads of Health and Housing and Regeneration and Policy

Minutes:

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Leytham and Hanson)

 

Cabinet received a joint report from the Head of Health and Housing and Head of Regeneration and Policy to consider the establishment and terms of reference of a Housing Regeneration Cabinet Liaison Group.

 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

 

 

Option 1:

To establish a CLG with the terms of reference as proposed in this report

Option 2:

To establish a CLG as proposed but with different TOR

Option 3:

Not to establish a CLG

Advantages

Will allow for comprehensive consideration of housing regeneration issues.

Would allow for the widening or reducing of the proposed TOR.

Small saving of officer time.

Disadvantages

None.

Substantially different TOR may not provide the Cabinet Members with the information and detail needed to assist them with their portfolio areas.

Missing an opportunity to more systematically discuss housing regeneration issues to support Council objectives.

Risks

None.

Some key issues could be missed.

Housing regeneration issues would be discussed on a more ad hoc basis.

 

The preferred officer option was Option 1 as this would support the Cabinet Members in undertaking their roles.

 

Councillor Leytham proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

 

“(1)      That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1)        That Cabinet approves the establishment of Housing Regeneration Cabinet Liaison Group.

 

(2)        That the terms of reference of the Housing Regeneration be agreed as follows:

 

The purpose of the group would be to assist the Cabinet Members in overseeing implementation of options for housing regeneration priorities including:

  • To examine the options for delivering and financing affordable housing schemes through the HRA (including schemes in the West End).
  • To examine the viability of building new council homes with a particular focus

on meeting the housing needs of the growing population of older people in the medium to long term.

  • The adoption of a rent policy for council housing.
  • Consideration of an empty homes strategy.
  • Opportunities for affordable housing schemes through the land allocations in

            the LDF.

  • The potential impact on residents and the Council of the changes to the welfare reform system.
  • The adoption of a tenancy strategy for the district.
  • Any other funding opportunities to support housing regeneration priorities, including any through the council’s General Fund.
  • To consider housing regeneration related reports prior to being presented to Cabinet, Individual Cabinet Member Decisions or other council committees.

     

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Head of Health and Housing

Head of Regeneration and Policy

 

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

The decision fits with the corporate priority: Economic regeneration including housing regeneration and the Corporate plan 2012 – 2015 Health and Wellbeing and Economic growth identifies improving housing supply, the West End schemes, empty properties and use of the HRA as priorities for the coming years.  The Cabinet Liaison Group should help facilitate sustainable housing regeneration which will improve outcomes for residents of our district with terms of reference deliberately wide ranging to enable full consideration of all issues connected with housing regeneration.

 

Supporting documents: