Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Housing, Wellbeing directorate

Purpose of report

To consider and approve the draft Housing Strategy 2018-2023 and Action Plan 2019-20 for public consultation for 7 weeks from December 2018 to January 2019.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To approve the draft Strategy as an accurate reflection of Cherwell District Council’s priorities and ambitions for meeting the housing needs of our communities.

1.2      To approve the draft Housing Strategy Action Plan which sets out key actions for delivery in 2019/20.

1.3      To approve proposals for the public consultation phase before adoption of the final Strategy in March 2019.

Resolved

(1)           That the draft Housing Strategy 2018 – 2013: ‘Cherwell – A Place to Prosper’ be approved as an accurate reflection of Cherwell District Council’s priorities and ambitions for meeting the housing needs of our communities.

(2)           That the draft Housing Strategy Action Plan which sets out key actions for delivery in 2019/20 be approved.

(3)           That  proposals for the public consultation phase before adoption of the final Strategy in March 2019 be approved.

The Assistant Director Housing submitted a report to consider and approve the draft Housing Strategy 2018-2023 and Action Plan 2019-20 for public consultation for 7 weeks from December 2018 to January 2019.

In considering the report and in response to comments from the Leader of the Labour Group regarding the consultation process, the Chairman and Lead Member for Housing confirmed that a pragmatic approach to consultation on the Strategy would be taken.

Executive thanked and commended officers for their hard work on the Draft Housing Strategy.

Resolved

(1)           That the draft Housing Strategy 2018 – 2013: ‘Cherwell – A Place to Prosper’ be approved as an accurate reflection of Cherwell District Council’s priorities and ambitions for meeting the housing needs of our communities.

(2)           That the draft Housing Strategy Action Plan which sets out key actions for delivery in 2019/20 be approved.

(3)           That  the proposals for the public consultation phase before adoption of the final Strategy in March 2019 be approved.

Reasons

The Housing Strategy is an important document in setting out the council’s ambitions and priorities against Housing which is a key Business Plan priority (relates directly to priorities: Deliver Affordable Housing, Prevent Homelessness and Deliver Innovative and Effective Housing Schemes but also to wider priorities such as Promote Health and Wellbeing, Enhance Community Resilience and Support and Safeguard Vulnerable People).

It is important that the Strategy is consulted on publicly for a reasonable time period before the final Strategy is brought to Executive for adoption in March 2019.

The Strategy is supported by a preliminary equalities impact assessment. A fuller assessment which takes account of consultation responses will support the final Strategy.

Alternative options

Not to agree to update and consult on the draft Housing Strategy. This is rejected as the Housing Strategy is an important document in setting out the council’s ambitions and priorities against Housing which is a key Business Plan priority.