Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Strategic Housing Working Group, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Strategic Housing Working Group (SHWG) seeking Members’ consideration of the SHWG Terms of Reference (ToR) attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

It was noted that the SHWG had been established to oversee and provide strategic guidance on housing delivery in the Maldon District and its purpose was set out in the report. The proposed ToR defined the SHWG’s role, scope composition, meeting procedures, ensured clarity, governance and accountability. Members were reminded that the SHWG did not consider individual housing applications, appeals or complaints but received reports on trends to inform strategic decision making.

The Leader of the Council (Chairperson of the SHWG) introduced the report referring to the Head of Housing Operations who presented the report and highlighted the number of households in temporary accommodation, open homelessness cases and applicants on the housing register with a level of housing need. A full strategy rewrite had been commissioned, and proposals were being developed to acquire additional temporary accommodation locally. Work with Registered Providers continued, and the Private Rented Sector Access Scheme had supported 11 households. Homes England had approved the joint Maldon District Council / Chelmsford Housing Partnership bid for Westcombe Park, an affordable housing delivery scheme, in Heybridge. It was noted that progress was ongoing toward gold?standard domestic abuse accreditation, and the Housing Team had recently been named Team of the Year.

During the debate that followed and in response to questions raised, the Head of Housing Operations advised that:

·                she would ask the Housing Development and Allocations Manager to provide a response regarding any affordable housing delivery schemes planned for Burnham-on-Crouch or Southminster.

·                following due diligence, the proposed housing scheme with Chelmsford City Council and Chess Development had been deemed not viable and not a good investment for the Council. This was why the Council was now looking to acquire its own units locally. In response to further questions around the reasons for not continuing with the housing scheme, the Monitoring Officer advised that Officers would confirm the details regarding this outside of the meeting.

In response to a question regarding the Council’s budget and addressing the housing needs of the District, the Leader of the Council provided an update on work being undertaken and it was noted that a report regarding this would be brought to a future meeting of the Council.

The Chairperson put the recommendation as set out in the report which was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED that the Strategic Housing Working Group Terms of Reference (at Appendix 1 to the report) be agreed.