Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Housing Services

Summary

To inform the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the current status of the project to produce the Council’s Private Sector Housing Strategy, which links to the Cherwell Housing Strategy 2005 – 2011.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, the Head of Housing Services and the Private Sector Housing Manager will be present at the meeting.

Recommendations

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

(1)               Note the contents of the report.

The Private Sector Housing Manager gave a presentation on the Private Sector Housing Strategy, which was developed in order to recognise the importance of good quality private sector housing in the district and highlight the contribution the private sector housing team can make towards meeting the Council’s corporate priorities.  The strategy was before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for endorsement and approval given the strategic importance.

The Private Sector Housing Manager informed the Committee that the Strategy had four key areas of focus:

• Accessibility/ Affordability
• Stock Condition
• Supporting Vulnerable People
• Energy/Efficiency

The Private Sector Housing Manager explained that extensive consultation with stakeholders had taken place, as well as research on fuel poverty and stock conditions.  The Private Sector Housing Manager informed the Committee that as part of the consultation process, the private sector housing team had organised and hosted a coffee morning which provided an opportunity for members of the community to learn more about the Council’s services.

In discussion the Committee looked at:

·       Risks presented by increased numbers of sub-divisional properties

• The valuable work of the small repairs service
• Plans/scope to expand the volume/capacity of privately rented accommodation in the District
• Licensing arrangements and enforcement procedures
• How to measure the performance and results of the strategy

Members noted the action plan which had been developed to accompany the strategy and felt that this should be reviewed again at a later date by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Officers agreed to give feedback on this in one year’s time to provide Members with an update on progress.  Members requested that the action plan be revised to include clearer, more measurable targets.

The Committee discussed ways in which to increase resident’s awareness of the Council’s service offerings for private sector housing.  Finally Members were advised that the enforcement activities of the private sector housing team were undertaken by three full time employees who were also responsible for providing advice on housing standards and energy efficiency as well as delivering landlord grants, and that plans to improve the service would need to be provided from the existing resource base.

Resolved

1)              That the contents of the report be noted.

2)              That the Private Sector Housing Strategy and Action Plan be added to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for review in spring 2011.

Report of the Head of Housing Services

Summary

To inform the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the current status of the project to produce the Council’s Private Sector Housing Strategy, which links to the Cherwell Housing Strategy 2005 – 2011.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, the Head of Housing Services and the Private Sector Housing Manager will be present at the meeting.

Recommendations

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

(1)               Note the contents of the report.