Issue - meetings

RESOLVED that in light of the consultation results, the proposed Strategy and Delivery Plan be noted, and the Strategy be approved for implementation.

Executive considered a detailed report, presented by the Portfolio Holder for Growth, which sought Members’ approval for the Council’s Private Sector Housing Policy.

Owner occupied and privately rented properties made up over 83.3% of homes in Bolsover (Census 2021). Many homes in the private sector in Bolsover were in poor condition. 45.8% did not meet EPC C, and 16.3% of owner-occupied homes and 18.6% of private rented homes failed the Decent Homes Standard for having a Category 1 hazard, which poses a serious and immediate risk to a person's health.

As a result of a stock condition survey carried out, officers wanted to develop robust and ambitious private sector housing strategies to help engage with the private sector, to improve the quality of accommodation, develop good management practices, and reduce homelessness.

Interviews with key stakeholders had taken place and the Council now had an evidenced base which was extremely comprehensive and timely, given the uncertain economic times. Landlord and tenant surveys had been completed on-line and ran for between 29^th May 2023 to 1^st September 2023.

The proposed Private Sector Strategy set out the Council’s plans for achieving good quality housing across the existing private sector stock.

Moved by Councillor John Ritchie and seconded by Councillor Sandra Peake

RESOLVED that in light of the consultation results, the proposed Strategy and Delivery Plan, and the Strategy be approved for implementation.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Council needs to take pro-active action following completion of the Private Sector Stock Condition Survey. By adopting the Strategy and delivering the identified actions, this should generate marked improvement in the quality of private sector housing and improved management of the private rented sector.

The Government is currently reviewing the Decent Homes Standard and it is expected that the new version will apply to the Private Rented Sector, which will give further impetus to the improvements the Council is trying to achieve.

Alternative Options and Reasons for Rejection

Members could choose not to support the adoption and delivery of the proposed Strategy but this would go against the recommendations of the private sector stock condition survey and cease delivery of a key action of the Housing Strategy 2021-24.