Agenda item

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Leytham)

Report of the Head of Health & Housing

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Hanson and Leytham)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Regeneration and Planning which provided a summary of the content and purpose of the Lancaster District Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan 2012 – 2017 along with the final version of the document for approval.

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

The officer preferred option was option 1, to recommend the Lancaster District Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan to Council in its current form.   There had been considerable work carried out on the preparation of the document to date, which had taken nearly a year to complete, with extensive consultation.  Should members approve the document, officers could continue to progress work on the key actions and priorities identified in the Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan within the suggested timescales.

The Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan provided a detailed profile of the current housing provision and housing markets as well as the district’s future housing needs and requirements and defined the actions required to ensure that the district could respond to current and future housing needs over the five year action plan period and beyond.  The Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan would be reviewed annually, with a formal mid-term review planned, which would be reported to members and stakeholders. 

Councillor Leytham proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

“(1)      That the Lancaster District Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan 2012-2017 be recommended to Council for approval.

(2)        That the issue of general housing being used as student accommodation be considered in more detail.  This would cover the discretion available to the Council in terms of overall numbers, quality and geographical location.

(3)        That section 3.57 in the report be revised to read – ‘Local Planning Authorities through their local plans will specify the standards that new dwellings are required to meet.

Councillors then voted:-

(7 Members (Councillors Blamire, Bryning, Hamilton-Cox, Hanson, Leytham, Sands and Smith) voted in favour, and 1 Member (Councillor Barry) abstained.)

Resolved:

(1)        That the Lancaster District Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan 2012-2017 be recommended to Council for approval.

(2)        That the issue of general housing being used as student accommodation be considered in more detail.  This would cover the discretion available to the Council in terms of overall numbers, quality and geographical location.

(3)        That section 3.57 in the report be revised to read – ‘Local Planning Authorities through their local plans will specify the standards that new dwellings are required to meet.”

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Regeneration & Planning

Head of Health & Housing

Reasons for making the decision:

The Council’s Constitution included the Housing Strategy as part of the policy framework.  The decision fits with the Corporate Plan 2012 – 15 -  Continuing work to improve the quality and availability of housing, and enhanced quality of life of local residents through access to good quality housing, increasing the number of affordable homes, a reduction in the number of homeless people and a reduction in the number of people sleeping rough. .

In requesting further consideration of student accommodation Cabinet were mindful of the need to free up more residential accommodation for the private rental sector and take account of the changing nature of the town’s university students with the differing needs of more overseas students and increasing number of students selecting universities within commuting distance.