Issue - meetings

The Housing Strategy and Development Officer explained that the current Housing Strategy 2021-24 was due to expire in 2024 and a revised strategy was required.

The Committee were referred to the table on Page 82 of the document which showed the potential timeframes for the development and implementation of the new strategy; this may have been subject to change pending the completion of external data assessments/housing needs analysis, and the level of engagement during the consultation period.  The Committee were then referred to Appendix 1 of the document, which was what the new strategy would look like.

There were 4 Priorities in the new strategy: Priority 1 – Providing Good Quality Housing; Priority 2 – Enabling Housing Growth; Priority 3 – Supporting Vulnerable and Disadvantaged People; and Priority 4 – Maintaining and improving property and housing management standards and ensuring that standards and living conditions in the district contributed towards better health outcomes for all.

To deliver the priorities in the corporate plan, 10 objectives had been set.  These would be acknowledged within the relevant section of the strategy and supporting delivery plan:

1.     Prepare and adopt new Council Housing Strategy by October 2024.

2.     Deliver 200 new homes through a new Bolsover Homes Programme using Dragonfly Development Ltd. by March 2028.

3.     Maintain high levels of tenant satisfaction with council housing and associated services as assessed under the annual Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) with the aim to be above the national average.

4.     Work towards compliance with the Social Housing Consumer Standards,  ensuring tenants’ voices was key when developing new council housing policies, procedures, and improvements.

5.     Commission and complete an appropriate council housing stock condition survey by April 2025, and upon completion develop an improved rolling programme of stock inspections to inform future repairs and maintenance programmes.

6.     Annually monitor housing delivery in the District and take steps if required to continue to meet the annual target of 272 new homes set out in the Local Plan for Bolsover District.

7.     Commission and complete Local Housing Needs evidence by August 2024 to better understand the District’s affordable housing needs.

8.     Work with partners to increase the supply, quality, and range of affordable housing to meet identified local needs.

9.     Develop strategies to support the private rented sector in supporting the Council in its duties.

10. Deliver the actions within the Council’s Homelessness Strategy by December 2027.

The Senior Devolution Lead for Planning Policy, Strategic Growth and Housing stated that the Council had outlined the plan, so while ambitious the Housing Team were happy to receive Member input.  A Member agreed that timelines looked challenging.

Moved by Councillor Phil Smith and seconded by Councillor Vicky Wapplington

RESOVLED that the report be noted.