Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Mark Howell declared a personal interest as an employee of the Papworth Trust, a charity that includes a Registered Social Landlord.

Councillor Alison Elcox declared a personal interest by virtue of being a South Cambridgeshire landlord.

Councillor Ben Shelton declared a personal interest as an employee of a letting agent in Cambridge.

The Portfolio Holder is asked to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 15 February 2012 as a correct record.

The Housing Portfolio Holder signed, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 February  2012, subject to the addition of Councillor Bunty Waters  to the list of those present.

The Housing Strategy 2012-16 is available on the Council’s website.  Please follow the link attached to the website version of the agenda, which can be accessed via www.scambs.gov.uk/meetings   A paper copy is available in the Members’ lounge.

The Housing Portfolio Holder approved the Housing Strategy 2012-16.

The Housing Portfolio Holder considered a report seeking approval for the Housing Strategy, which set out the Council’s overall vision and key aims for the housing service over the next five years. 

The Strategy’s key themes had been encapsulated by the acronym HEART (Health and Wellbeing, Economic Growth and Development, Affordable Housing, Reducing Fuel Poverty and promoting energy efficiency, and Tackling Homelessness).  The intention was that the Housing Strategy would help focus resources from across the Council and put housing at the HEART of Council activity.   In particular, Councillor Sue Ellington, Environmental Services Portfolio Holder, explained how the Ageing Well Strategy, promoted by Health and Environmental Services, would support the Housing strategy.

With reference to Affordable Housing, the Portfolio Holder highlighted the aim to identify a potential public Gypsy and Travellers Site in partnership with Cambridge City

Council and seek a development and / or management partner to take this forward by 2015.

The Housing Portfolio Holder and all those present congratulated the Housing Performance Improvement Team Leader and her Team for compiling such a comprehensive document.

The  Portfolio Holder approved the Housing Strategy 2012-16.

The Housing Portfolio Holder approved the Empty Homes Strategy 2012-16.

The Housing Portfolio Holder considered a report seeking approval for the Empty Homes Strategy, which set out the Council’s plans for bringing empty homes back into use over the next five years. 

The Corporate Manager (Affordable Homes) said that the Council already had enforcement powers at its disposal as a last resort but the Strategy would give the Council a proactive way  to bring empty homes back into use through negotiation and collaborative working.

Those present agreed that local Members should be kept informed about the location of empty properties within their wards.

The Housing Portfolio Holder approved the Empty Homes Strategy 2012-16.

The Housing Portfolio Holder considered a report on the Tenancy Policy.

The Portfolio Holder was minded to end the practice of offering secure ‘lifetime’ tenancies, replacing them with flexible tenancies for a fixed period of ten years with the review process taking place after nine years.  Concern was expressed that this would create unnecessary uncertainty for elderly people but the Portfolio Holder highlighted the importance of treating everybody fairly and equally.  Nobody would be asked to move unless suitable alternative accommodation meeting their needs could be offered.

An updated Policy would be presented to the Housing Portfolio Holder in September 2012 for final approval.

The Housing Portfolio Holder approved in principle for further development the Tenancy Policy, including:

The Housing Portfolio Holder confirmed his decision made on Wednesday 15 February 2012 to transfer Title to the land shaded on the plan attached to the original agenda report and defined as vehicular access over SCDC land, for £136,800 (One hundred and thirty six thousand eight hundred pounds), subject to an overage provision to protect the Council’s future interests and to payment of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s legal costs by the applicant, unless the applicant is able to negotiate a lower price for the site from the landowners. The price of the easement, in this case, will be reduced to 25% (subject to an absolute minimum of £120,000) of the lowest price offered by the landowners.  This offer will stand for a period of six months, to terminate on Friday 21 September 2012.

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented the decision he was minded to make in relation to a price for the access land owned by the Council at Brickhills, Willingham. Planning permission had been obtained and the in principle decision to sell had been given.

The Portfolio Holder stated that, if the developer could acquire the land at a reduced cost, then the price being demanded by the Council for the access land would also be reduced, down to a minimum of £120,000.  It would be essential that the land value could be substantiated to the Council’s satisfaction. 

The Housing Portfolio Holder confirmed his decision made on Wednesday 15 February 2012 to transfer Title to the land shaded on the plan attached to the original agenda report and defined as vehicular access over SCDC land, for £136,800 (One hundred and thirty six thousand eight hundred pounds), subject to an overage provision to protect the Council’s future interests and to payment of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s legal costs by the applicant, unless the applicant is able to negotiate a lower price for the site from the landowners. The price of the easement, in this case, will be reduced to 25% (subject to an absolute minimum of £120,000) of the lowest price offered by the landowners.  This offer will stand for a period of six months, to terminate on Friday 21 September 2012.

The Housing Portfolio Holder approved the letter attached to the agenda report as the Council’s response to the CLG draft guidance.

The Housing Portfolio Holder approved the letter attached to the agenda report as the Council’s response to the CLG draft guidance.

The Housing Portfolio Holder approved the Single Equalities Scheme 2012-2015.

The Housing Portfolio Holder considered a report on the new Single Equality Scheme 2012 – 2015.

Those present discussed the need for effective monitoring and enforcement of the Scheme, compliance with which should be treated as mandatory.  In relation to Gypsies and Travellers, they noted the different functions of the Gypsy and Traveller Community Strategy and the work led by the Planning section to identify of suitable sites for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation.

The Portfolio Holder expressed the hope that Equalities and Diversity considerations would become deeply embedded in every aspect of the Council’s activity. The Single Equality Scheme should become an “Active Document” and its importance emphasised to every South Cambridgeshire District Councillor and South Cambridgeshire District Council employee.

The Housing Portfolio Holder approved the Single Equalities Scheme 2012-2015.

The Housing Portfolio Holder received and noted the final draft of the Affordable Homes Service Plan for 2012-13 to 2014-15.

With regard to the Mobile Warden Scheme, the Portfolio Holder said that it was yet to be determined how Mobile Warden Schemes should be funded so as to maximise their effectiveness.

The Housing Portfolio Holder received and noted a report updating him about Health and Safety issues relevant to the Affordable Homes service.

Those present noted a draft Forward Plan for 2012-13.  Following the current meeting, a further report on Tenancy Policy Development would be presented to the meeting in September 2012.

There is no TPG input at this meeting.

The Housing Portfolio Holder reported that the Tenant Participation Group would not be addressing this meeting.

The next Housing Portfolio Holder meeting has been scheduled provisionally for Wednesday 13 June 2012.

The next Housing Portfolio Holder meeting had been scheduled for Wednesday 13 June 2012, starting at 5.30pm.