Issue - meetings

The Assistant Director of Housing Management & Enforcement and the Planning Policy and Housing Strategy Manager provided Members with a progress update on delivery of the Housing Strategy 2021-24.

Since the last report, the Joint Housing Strategy Team with North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) had been disestablished and ceased to operate on 30^th November 2022, with its staff remaining with NEDDC.  From 1^st December 2022 onwards, the duties of the former Joint Team had been transferred to the Council’s Housing Management Team and Planning Policy Team, with the general split being as follows:

a)         Housing Management Team – to undertake duties relating to homelessness, rough sleeping, private sector lettings and tenancy strategy.

b)         Planning Policy and Housing Strategy Team – to undertake duties relating to the preparation of strategic housing policies, housing stock analysis and work on empty homes.

Officers noted that at the Chair’s request they had adapted the action plan to show historic progress and added the status of each action (RAG status).  Specific areas of note/query were as follows:

Priority 1, Aim 4 – Making best use of the Council’s Housing Stock

Work was due to progress from early May 2023, post-election, to commence the periodic review of the Allocations Policy.

Priority 1, Aim 5 – Private Rented Sector

A Landlords Forum event was held on 1^st March 2023, with Chesterfield Borough Council (CBC) and NEDDC, and had been well attended.  Legislation changes were expected in the short-term to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) which would require private landlords to bring stock up to the required standards.  There was now additional support available for landlords to help their tenants to apply for Universal Credit.  The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) were also providing support due to the cost of living crisis to both tenants and landlords supporting tenants.

A Councillor queried how the Council was engaging with Housing Associations and noted that they were having issues with one specific local provider, who were not engaging over local resident issues.  The Planning Policy and Housing Strategy Manager noted that as part of the handover from the Joint Team, the Council had received a contact list of all registered providers in the area.  Meetings were being arranged to introduce the new team and establish what support they required and to ensure they were engaged with the new service.  Officers would check the list for their details and follow-up and would welcome contacts/suggestions from Members where issues had arisen.

Councillors commented that they would like to see all private landlords charging affordable rents rather than extortionate rents, above market rate, which were beyond the capacity of those who relied on the rented sector.

A Councillor queried the extent of issues with damp and mould within the area and whether private landlords were also dealing with this.  The Assistant Director of Housing Management & Enforcement noted that from 2024 the regulations in relation to EPCs would change.  There would be a significant focus on private rented accommodation being improved to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52