Issue - items at meetings - Housing Strategy 2015

Report of Executive Director of Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

(1)          That the city’s housing challenges, the Council’s response, and how this has shaped the development of the new strategy (summarised in section 3) be noted.

(2)       That a formal consultation process be carried out for a six week period to enable members of the public to make comments on the strategy. There should be a press release and documents should be made available on the online portal.

41.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director,  Environment, Development and Housing which explained that the city’s current Housing Strategy expired in 2014.  The report summarised the development of the new Housing Strategy 2015 and presented the Review Draft of the strategy for Member approval prior to the final strategy being submitted early in the New Year.  The report was presented by the Head of Housing Strategy & Development – Private Sector Housing. 

41.2    Councillor Meadows expressed concern that most of the consultation on the document had been carried out online.  She stressed that 40% of people in her ward did not have online facilities.  She asked if there would be a full public consultation on the document.  

41.3    The Head of Housing Strategy & Development – Private Sector Housing explained that draft strategy had been developed through consultation with a wide range of community groups.  He had tried to make the consultation as wide as possible and was happy to consult further if it was felt that anyone had been missed out.  

41.4    Councillor Meadows stated that all tenants’ organisations should be consulted on the document.

41.5    The Chair stressed that there had been a great deal of consultation.  For example, on 11 November, the document had been considered by the Strategic Housing Partnership. 

41.6    Councillor Meadows noted that the document had many acronyms.  She felt that a summary would have been useful. 

41.7    Councillor Daniel stated that she was not comfortable with the wording of the Conclusion paragraph at 6.1 of the cover report.  This stated that resolution of many of the city’s housing needs is very much in the hands of national government policy and the economy.  Councillor Daniel considered that there were many things that could be done locally.   Councillor Daniel referred to the Action Plan and stressed the need for targets.  The Chair agreed that there should be targets.

41.8    Councillor Mears referred to paragraph 3.8 on page 67 which mentioned the acute shortage of affordable homes.  She stressed that there needed to be discussion about what ‘affordable’ meant.  She was not aware how much the rental side was in shared ownership schemes.  Councillor Mears referred to paragraph 3.16 which reported that Policy & Resources Committee had agreed to proposals that the housing related support function was shared between the Executive Director of Adult Services (who would act as the overall Lead Director responsible for co-ordinated commissioning and management of associated funds)  and the Executive Director Environment, Development & Housing who would have concurrent delegated powers so as to be able to discharge parts of the housing related support function.  Councillor Mears stated that she would not support the Housing Strategy report until she saw a report on the proposals in paragraph 3.16.  

41.9    Councillor Mears referred to page 48 of the Housing Strategy document which related to People in Need (housing related support).  Councillor Mears stressed that this area was no longer within the control of the Housing Committee and the section was misleading to members of the Committee. 

41.10  Councillor Peltzer Dunn noted that a great deal of work had been carried out in completing the document.  However he had doubts about the consultation process.  He accepted the approach so far in consulting organisations on what should be included in the strategy but was concerned that the public did not have an opportunity to comment on the draft strategy.   Councillor Peltzer Dunn referred to the timetable on page 71 – paragraph 3.29.  He asked if there would be an opportunity for members of the public to comment on the draft recommendations.  168 people had responded to the earlier consultation.   He proposed a period of public consultation on the draft document. 

41.11  The Head of Housing Strategy & Development – Private Sector Housing stressed that reports on the strategy had been submitted to the Committee twice already and there had been consultation with a wide range of community groups. He felt that officers had followed best practice.  He had sought to speak to as many people as possible. 

41.12  Councillor Peltzer Dunn stressed that residents had not seen or been consulted on the draft Housing Strategy document. He believed the council should have a six week consultation period.

41.13  Councillor Daniel considered that it was more meaningful to work with people before the strategy was produced.  However, she felt there was no harm in placing the documents online to enable the public to comment on the draft strategy.  She commended the approach taken so far. 

41.14  The Chair emphasised that many community groups had been consulted.  The draft strategy could be put on the online portal for further comment.  He felt the approach so far was very good and that comments from community groups and organisations had been taken on board.  He agreed that the draft strategy should be made available for people who wanted to see it. 

41.15  Councillor Rufus made the point that the 168 responses mentioned in the report were in addition to all the other consultation work, including the online consultation. 

41.16  Councillor Phillips agreed with Councillor Mears that it was unfortunate that a decision on supporting people was taken by Policy & Resources Committee.  She asked if the committee could receive information on matters that affect the Committee, even if it no longer held the budget for the matter concerned.  The Chair agreed that the Committee could be kept informed.  

41.17    Councillor Phillips referred to paragraph 3.1.2.  This stated that half of all residents earned less than £28,240 per annum.  It would be helpful quote the average amount earned by people working in the City.  Councillor Phillip’s noted an alarming figure in the Strategy document.  This stated on page 8, that only 59% of those in need could afford social rented housing rather than affordable housing.  It later explained that the Local Authority provided more social housing and it might be helpful to elaborate on that issue.  Councillor Philip’s referred to Community Land Trusts.  She asked how this would work out in practice.   

41.18  The Chair replied that there would be a financial section to the strategy.  Helen Russell from the Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust was happy with the report.  This matter had been discussed at the Strategic Housing Partnership on 11 November.  

41.19  Councillor Peltzer Dunn referred to the timetable set out in paragraph 3.29.  He asked if the workshops and meetings would take place before the final draft was worked on.  This was confirmed by the Executive Director.  Councillor Peltzer Dunn formally moved that residents should be consulted in a formal consultation exercise lasting six weeks.  There should be a press release about the consultation and information should be available on the council’s online portal.  Councillor Mears seconded the recommendation. 

41.20  RESOLVED -  (1)  That the city’s housing challenges, the Council’s response, and how this has shaped the development of the new strategy (summarised in section 3) be noted.

          (2)  That a formal consultation process start as soon as possible after the Housing Committee meeting and expiring before Brighton & Hove Connected on 16 December 2014.