Agenda item

Reporting person: Jon Herbert, Strategic Housing and Development Manager.

The Committee received a report providing an update on the Housing Services Review which had been under taken over the past year.  Following completion of the review, a new Housing Strategy had been prepared before being adopted by Council in July 2021 following a public consultation.  The Housing Strategy set out the Council’s vision for the period 2021 to 2026, covering the scope of the Authority’s Housing Services and complementing other policies of the Council. 

It was noted that the focus of the Strategy was on increasing the supply of affordable housing while making best use of the existing stock.  The priorities identified were:

·                To provide well designed, high quality homes that were affordable and met local needs;

·                To prevent homelessness and help those in housing need;

·                To help people to achieve independence and wellbeing;

·                To deliver an improved housing service to tenants and leaseholders;

·                To enhance choice, standards and quality within the private rented sector.

The report set out each of the recommendations identified by the Housing Services Review and the progress achieved in meeting them.

The Committee noted that the Planning Committee had received training on the viability assessment process in February 2021 and Officers were asked whether a further session would be arranged in light of the changes to the membership of the Planning Committee in May 2021.  Officers undertook to revisit the training later in the year in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Committee.  Any training materials would be forwarded on to Members.

The consultation was discussed and the Members were advised that the number of responses received had been positive, significantly higher than had been expected.  The feedback received through the consultation exercise had led to subsequent changes to a number of the themes within the Policy, notably around prioritising social rents and further details around sustainability measures, as well as drawing out smarter objectives.  The Committee noted the good response from the public consultation and the emphasis on social rented accommodation and sustainability.

The number of empty properties was discussed and it was noted that the owners of empty properties were charged twice as much Council Tax as occupied premises after one year of the property being empty (unless going through probate).  Officers undertook to provide Members with the number of empty properties for which double council tax was being paid, if available.

Officers advised that the Council worked hard to reduce the number of empty properties working with partner organisations including Thameswey Housing, recognising that there were often complex reasons for a property being left empty which took a significant amount of time to address.  In terms of comparison with other, similar Authorities, it was estimated that Woking was mid-table.

Recommendation 3 had stated that “Where a viability case results in fewer affordable homes being proposed a S106 agreement in order to provide the option for the actual costs and values to be completed”.  Officers confirmed that  S106 agreements were sought in such circumstances, noting that each agreement was subject to negotiations, and offered to provide a few examples outside of the meeting.

The Chairman summarised the key elements of the update, noting the discussion around empty homes, the successful consultation and the use of 106 agreements.  The Chairman thanked Councillor Harlow, Louise Strongitharm and Jon Herbert for the presentation and their work around the Strategy.

RESOLVED

That the report on progress be noted.