Agenda item

The Housing Strategy and Development Officer presented the report to the Committee to provide the third and final update on the Council’s Housing Strategy 2021-24 and the delivery of its action plan.

The strategy had been adopted March 2021 and set out the Council’s strategic framework to meet the districts housing growth ambitions and housing related support needs. The strategy was attached as Appendix 1 of the document, with the update attached as Appendix 2.

The Housing Strategy and Development Officer explained that from the 1^st December 2022 the duties of the former Joint Team had been transferred to the Council’s Housing Management Team and Planning Policy and Housing Strategy Team; the general split was as follows:

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

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.

New posts had been established within both teams.

Out of the 25 Actions to be taken, 5 had not been fully accepted; these 5 Actions would be transferred to the new Housing Strategy 2024-2029.

For the previously raised query on vacant properties being reused, empty properties and other buildings could be reused for short term lets.  The Senior Devolution Lead for Planning Policy, Strategic Growth and Housing stated the plan had been mothballed slightly, but the Council must continue to tackle wasted resources; they were now working closely with the Revenues Team to identify empty properties and provide tools and incentivise owners to bring their properties back into use.  This would also alleviate pressures on homelessness and the development of the countryside.

The Chair noted that for care leavers at the age of 18, but also for many leaving their parental/guardianship home at 17/18 who want to afford their own home, the lack of available affordable housing was of concern.  The Portfolio Holder for Housing stated that the Council was increasing the number of properties owned by the Council, and while these were one-bed properties, they were not necessarily flats but quite spacious houses.  The Council was also focussing not on the number of properties being built, but on the quality, usability, and the wellbeing of future occupants; for some three bed properties, while the third bedroom might be suitable for a small child, it might not be for a young adult.

The Housing Strategy and Development Officer explained that Bolsover Homes was working towards 400 new Council properties, but as of March 2024, 103 properties had been completed.  Dragonfly Development Ltd. had been in place since December 2022, but one of the reasons why this target would be carried over was due to the disruption of global supply chains in recent years.  Two substantial build sites would be created in the next 18 months to get the project back on track.

The Chair noted that staffing issues had also played a part in delays and asked if these had been resolved.  The Housing Strategy and Development Officer explained in terms of recruitment, this was Dragonfly Development Ltd.’s prerogative to resolve, though private contractors were also being worked with.

The Chair stated that it was good accessibility, affordability and what families needed to ensure a safe, healthy living area with green and play areas were priorities.

As for Gypsy/Traveller, the Senior Devolution Lead for Planning Policy, Strategic Growth and Housing explained that due to a reclarification of the definition of Gypsy/Traveller by the UK National Government, and following new data from Derbyshire County Council, a draft assessment of sites had been completed with publication due in May 2024; the District was providing the number of sites required to meet demand.

Moved by Councillor Phil Smith and seconded by Councillor Vicky Wapplington

RESOLVED that the Housing Strategy 2021-2024 be noted.