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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS Minutes: None received. |
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JOS/21/29 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21 MARCH 2022 PDF 286 KB Minutes: It was RESOLVED: -
That the amended minutes of the meeting held on the 21 of March 2022 be confirmed as a true record.
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TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL'S PETITION SCHEME Minutes: None received. |
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QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC To consider questions from and provide answers to members of the public on any matter in relation to which the Committee has powers or duties and of which due notice has been given in accordance with the Committee and Sub-Committee Procedures Rules. Minutes: None received.
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QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS To consider questions from and provide answers to Councillors on any matter in relation to which the Committee has powers or duties and of which due notice has been given in accordance with the Committee and Sub-Committee Procedure Rules. Minutes: None received. |
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JOS/21/30 DRAFT EMPTY HOMES POLICY PDF 205 KB Additional documents: Minutes: 142.1 Councillor Jan Osborne introduced the report to the committee outlining that bringing empty homes back into occupation maximised the use of existing private sector housing to meet the local housing needs of the districts.
142.2 The Senior Environmental Health Officer and the Housing Needs and Standards Manager presented to the committee outlining the process of bringing an empty home back into use, the use of Empty Homes Loans of up to £20,000 to encourage owners of empty properties to bring them back into use, and the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process. Officers highlighted that there were currently 450 identified empty homes in Babergh and 530 in Mid Suffolk.
142.3 Councillor Field queried how many CPOs would be issued per year. The Senior Environmental Health Officer responded that following the implementation of the policy it was expected that there would be a maximum of two per council per year due to the cost involved in purchasing properties. The Housing Needs and Standards Manager added that CPOs were a last resort action, and that the priority was to work with owners to bring homes back into use.
142.4 Councillor McLaren queried that with the additional Empty Homes Officer appointed for Mid Suffolk, how would a fair and equal service be ensured for Babergh. The Housing Needs and Standards Manager responded that through the case management system it was ensured that work would be allocated to officers equally for each council. Councillor Jan Osborne added that the workload would be monitored by Cabinet to determine whether an additional officer would be needed for Babergh.
142.5 Councillor Caston queried the Empty Home Loan process and whether there were credit checks, interest, and how they were paid to applicants. The Senior Environmental Health Officer outlined that there was no financial means test for the loan and that there was no interest paid. Additionally, where possible the loans were paid directly to contractors after the work was completed.
142.6 Councillor Caston questioned whether Empty Homes Officers worked with the Homelessness Prevention Team if they were aware of squatters at a property. The Senior Environmental Health Officer responded that, when possible, referrals were made to the Homelessness Prevention Team.
142.7 Councillor Barrett questioned how a long-term empty home was defined. The Senior Environmental Health Officer responded that any property that had been unoccupied for six months and over was defined as an empty home. Whether a home was defined as furnished or unfurnished was not a concern.
142.8 Councillor Carter questioned how the council was proactive in identifying empty homes, especially in rural areas. The Senior Environmental Health Officer responded that an initial list was obtained from Council Tax in order to identify how long a home had been empty. However, there was also a reliance on members of the public reporting properties online, and officers identifying properties when working in the districts. 142.9 Councillor Barrett queried whether it had been advertised to the public what help was available to bring homes back into use. The ... view the full minutes text for item 142.
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JOS/21/31 FORTHCOMING DECISIONS LIST To review the Council’s Forthcoming Decisions List and identify any items to be brought before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Please note the most up to date version can be found via the Website: Forthcoming Decisions List » Babergh Mid Suffolk Minutes: The Forthcoming Decisions List was noted. |
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JOS/21/32 BABERGH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY WORK PLAN PDF 131 KB To agree the Work Plan Minutes: The Babergh Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan was noted. |
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JOS/21/33 MID SUFFOLK OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY WORK PLAN PDF 131 KB To agree the Work Plan Minutes: The Mid Suffolk Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan was noted. |