Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Baldwin, Skipp and Staines. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Protection, in attendance, explained that he had asked Councillor Sanson to act as Chairman for the meeting.

Annual Council agreed the meeting dates of the Housing and Public Protection Policy Development Advisory Group. The group is asked to agree the timing of forthcoming meetings.

The group agreed that the start time of forthcoming meetings of the group would be 17:30.

Forward Plan item scheduled for Cabinet on 21 July 2016. Draft report of the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager.

The Environmental Health and Licensing Manager presented the draft Empty Homes Strategy to the group. The strategy was scheduled for Cabinet decision on 21 July 2016. The Council’s Empty Homes Strategy had been reviewed on 26th April 2016 by the now dissolved Private Sector Housing Policy Group to ensure that the strategy continued to deliver its objectives, reflects current best practice and is in line with legislation and national policy. It was considered that the existing policy met those objectives and only minor amendments were required to the strategy to take account that delivery of parts of the strategy, previously undertaken by Brighton and Hove City Council, had been brought in-house. The aims of the strategy were

·         to encourage homeowners and landlords to bring vacant homes back into use

·         to consider all the options available for tackling the problems and make every effort to bring the home back to a good standard and into use as a dwelling

·         to remove the negative impact empty homes in poor condition are having on their neighbourhood

The Chairman sought the views of the group, which were provided as follows:

·         Clarification of the status of specific empty properties

·         The need to understand how the empty home register was formed

·         Whether compulsory purchased orders (CPO) were considered

Officers responded to each issue in turn

·         That the specific empty properties mentioned were subject to an action plan, and that the Empty Homes Enforcement Group had been consulted  

·         Data from council tax was a primary source for populating the register

·         CPO was covered in Appendix 1 to the strategy

At the conclusion of its discussion, the group advised the Cabinet Member that it supported the draft Empty Homes Strategy 2016-2020.

Verbal update Licensing from the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager.

The Environmental Health and Licensing Manager provided an update to the group on Licensing event LIS/2 of 4 April 2016, which had been cancelled by the applicant.

A verbal update from the Housing Services Manager will be provided on:

·         Nominations

·         Housing Register

·         Temporary Accommodation

The Housing Services Manager explained that items 5 and 7 were interlinked and provided an overview of the Housing function. The group heard that the number of households on the waiting list was at a three year high, possibly due to the introduction of households being able to apply online. In response to questions from Members, the group heard:

·         that ‘working households in priority need’ formed the top band of the waiting list

·         that ex-servicemen did not go on the waiting list, and were prioritised

·         temporary accommodation figures could be skewed by individuals or a household staying for prolonged periods.   

Verbal update on the implications of the Act on affordable housing.

The Housing Manager informed the group that the consequences of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 were now being understood across the housing sector. There was a need for more clarity from the government on starter homes particularly and it was noted that government policy may still be subject to change.

·         Number of households on the waiting list – 606 1st July 2016

·         Number of homeless decisions issued for the Quarter – Q1 - 43

·         Number of households in temporary accommodation for the month - 77

o    Of this number, how many are in Bed and Breakfast accommodation for the month -15

·         Number of homeless preventions for the month - 8

The Housing Service Manager summarised the performance indicators included with the agenda papers. Members requested further information at the next meeting of the group on:

·         ‘Sofa surfers’

·         Trend information for the five indicators.

Members noted that performance indicator information was reported to the Finance and Performance Sub-Committee.

Verbal update from the Housing Services Manager

The Housing Manager explained to the group that West Sussex County Council had joined with borough and district councils, health and emergency services, faith groups, charities, and voluntary and community groups, to formally agree to help house and support 240 refugees over the next 4 years. Horsham District would support 2 families per year and suitable properties were being brought up to standard. The group heard that West Sussex County Council offered a support network, including language skills to those involved in the countywide programme.