Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Housing Services

Summary

To inform the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the progress being made with the development of the Cherwell Housing Strategy for Older People, a sub-strategy of the Cherwell Housing Strategy 2005 – 2011. 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, the Head of Housing Services and the Strategic Housing Officer will be present at the meeting.

Recommendations

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

(1)               Note the contents of the report;

(2)               Consider whether the Committee wishes to refer any comments on the report to the Executive for consideration at their meeting in February 2010.

The Strategic Housing Officer gave a presentation on the Older Peoples Housing Strategy, which will ensure that the Council provides the right housing and support services to meet the needs of older residents over the next five years.  The Strategic Housing Officer explained that the strategy had five key priorities:

• Provide and support preventative services that allow people to remain living independently in their own home
• Increase the provision of specialist older peoples housing
• Improve the provision of information and advice about housing options for older people
• Involve older people in the way we provide services
• Ensure new development meets the needs of older people now and in the future

The Committee were conscious of the projected increase in the number of older people living in Cherwell District, which would be significantly higher than other parts of the county.  They also considered that it was important to balance the needs of both urban and rural residents.

The Committee recognised the importance of ensuring that suitable accommodation is provided for elderly residents to allow them to continue living in rural areas.  Members suggested that the Council should promote mixed housing provision in all new housing developments, for example via the Local Development Framework and in North West Bicester.

Resolved

1)                 To note the contents of the report.

2)                 That the Older People’s Housing Strategy be endorsed to Executive.

Report of the Head of Housing Services

Summary

To inform the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the progress being made with the development of the Cherwell Housing Strategy for Older People, a sub-strategy of the Cherwell Housing Strategy 2005 – 2011. 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, the Head of Housing Services and the Strategic Housing Officer will be present at the meeting.

Recommendations

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

(1)               Note the contents of the report;

(2)               Consider whether the Committee wishes to refer any comments on the report to the Executive for consideration at their meeting in February 2010.