Shrewsbury & Atcham
Borough Council

Decision Number and Matter

Councillor Barker

Minute 57/07 - Affordable Housing Review - Personal interest as a Director of Severnside Housing Association.

Agenda Item

Minute/Action

Action to be taken by:

56/07

SWIMMING FACILITIES PROVISION

The Chairman of the Swimming Facilities Provision Task and Finish Group presented the Working Group’s update report and reiterated the Group’s desire to retain the present facility.

The Deputy Chief Executive stated that the additional funding provision of £300,000 had been agreed in addition to the budget for planned maintenance and indicated that the final decision as to where the funding would be spent had not yet been determined. The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy) made reference to there being a condition survey undertaken and stated that this would form the basis of identifying the requisite and priority work needed to maintain the operation of the swimming pool.

The Chairman congratulated the Task and Finish Group on the work undertaken.

That the update report of the Swimming Facilities Task and Finish Group be noted.

57/07

AFFORDABLE HOUSING REVIEW

The Chairman of the Affordable Housing Group Task and Finish Group presented the Working Group’s final report and recommendations to the Committee. He confirmed that the Committee had completed all the requirements bestowed on the Group within the Terms and Reference and hoped that the exercise would assist the unitary authority in its consideration of affordable housing.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing acknowledged the findings of the report and made reference to the need for intermediate housing provision to be protected in perpetuity. He urged the Committee to support the use of Growth Point funding to assist in the delivery of affordable housing as a top priority. He also welcomed the Working Group’s support in tackling underoccupancy of properties and sought to work with Registered Social Landlords to examine this issue.

In response to a question, the Assistant Chief Executive (Monitoring Officer) provided clarification of the figures agreed in relation to affordable housing.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that housing level forecasting had been taken into account in relation to the development of affordable housing policy. The requisite information could be circulated to members via Planning Policy Officers. He also reported on the formulation of the new Local Development Framework and commented that this would assist in more flexible provision of affordable housing. A member raised the issue of Severnside void properties and the turnaround time for re-letting properties. The Chairman stated that the void property timescales had significantly improved and agreed to refer the concerns directly to Severnside Housing.

With the permission of the Chairman, the Portfolio Holder updated members of the Committee on the new provision to assist rough sleepers in Shrewsbury.

The Chairman thanked the Task and Finish Group for the work undertaken and thanked the Portfolio Holder, Assistant Chief Executive (Monitoring Officer) and the Housing Manager for their input and attendance.

That the following be recommended to Council, and in the meantime, Cabinet’s comments be sought for report direct to Council:

1. That a new sliding scale for affordable housing based on the Oswestry model be adopted.
2. That site density be calculated on full site capacity (if this is higher than the actual level of application) as an anti-avoidance mechanism.
3. That in rural areas, commuted sums be used for the provision of housing in the same locality as the main development (instead of or as well as actual units providing that the sum is used)
4. That 10% of the requisite 50% affordable housing provision be used towards intermediate housing.
5. That disposal of large sites be required to provide affordable housing in accordance with the proposed Oswestry sliding scale to create sustainable communities.
6. That suitable sites capable of holding no more than 15-20 units be required to provide 100% affordable housing, and that Council be requested to maximise it’s landholdings for provision of affordable housing.
7. That further consideration be given to the provision of a cash incentive for residents who were underoccupying properties to assist in relocation to smaller properties.
8. That all empty residential properties be identified and Council be requested to utilise the relevant powers to bring back to full occupation.
9. That the present funding levels be re-examined and a specific post be urgently sought to provide for the delivery of affordable housing, and that Growth Point funding be used to assist the delivery of affordable housing as a top priority.
10. That any contractually uncommitted capital be utilised for the determined delivery of affordable housing provision.

58/07

RESPONSES FROM CABINET – 10^TH DECEMBER 2007

Consideration was given to the responses from Cabinet held on 10^th December 2007:

1. Minute 196/07 CCTV Review; and
2. Minute 198/07 Revenue and Capital Budget Review.

1. That the Cabinet decisions be noted.
2. That the following be recommended to Cabinet:

That the additional capital budget provision of £20,000 to provide CCTV coverage in St Alkmunds Square not be taken from the sum identified for the purpose of promotion and marketing of CCTV.

Committee Services Officer

59/07

INTERIM FEEDBACK FROM WORKING GROUPS

Town Centre Parking and Enforcement – The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy) reported that Cabinet had not accepted the scale of charges put forward for consideration. He also reported that members of the Working Group had recently accompanied Parkright attendants on their patrols and that a report was to be considered by Cabinet in respect of traffic orders.

Hydro-electric Power Review – Councillor Barker, Chairman of the Task and Finish Group, advised that this item would be withdrawn from the work programme.

Revenue and Capital Budget Review - A member expressed concerns in respect of Cabinet’s refusal to accept the proposed parking charges. It was agreed that the Leader of the Council be asked to nominate a member of the Conservative Group to sit on the Revenue and Capital Budget Review Task and Finish Group to ensure cross party support was maintained.

Committee Services Officer

That the work of the Task and Finish Groups be noted and the Hydro-Electric Power Review Working Group be disbanded and the item be removed from the Work Programme.

Committee Services Officer

60/07

WORK PROGRAMME

Further to Minute 54/07, an updated 2007/2008 Work Programme was submitted for consideration.

That subject to the following adjustment, the updated Work Programme be approved:

Minute 59/07 - That the Hydro-Electric Power Working Group be disbanded and the item removed from the Work Programme.

61/07

FORWARD PLAN

Consideration was given to the Forward Plan for the period 1^st December 2007 to 31^st March 2008 outlining proposed future policy and budget developments.

That the Forward Plan be noted.