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APOLOGIES AND SUBSTITUTIONS Minutes: 26.1 Apologies were received from Councillor Terence Carter and Councillor Robert Lindsay
26.2 Councillor John Matthissen substituted for Councillor Terence Carter. |
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS Minutes: 27.1 Councillor Ekpenyong declared an Other Registerable Interest in respect of Item JOS/22/17 due to his position as Chairman of Mid Suffolk Growth Ltd. However, the item under discussion did not directly relate to the finances or wellbeing of that interest or affect the finances or wellbeing of that interest to a greater extent than the majority of inhabitants. Therefore, Councillor Ekpenyong was not prevented from participating in the debate and vote in respect of this item. |
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TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL'S PETITION SCHEME Minutes: 28.1 None received. |
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JOS/22/16 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 PDF 111 KB Minutes: 29.1 It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2022 were confirmed and signed as a true record.
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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: 30.1 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: 31.1 None received.
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Additional documents:
Minutes: 32.1 Councillor Jan Osborne – Babergh District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing – introduced the report to the Committee outlining before Members the history of the strategy, the purpose of the document, and that the strategy’s delivery plan had been refocussed since its implementation.
32.2 The Housing Strategy and Policy Officer gave a presentation to the Committee outlining the progress of the strategy to date, the changes that have been made to the strategy, the refocussed delivery plan, the status of the 93 actions outlined in the delivery plan, and the 9 strategic aims that underpin the strategy.
32.3 Councillor Matthissen queried how many houses had been “self-built” or “custom-built” under the strategy. Councillor Hinton responded that Babergh had 47 self-builds and Mid Suffolk had 106 self-builds.
32.4 Councillor Hinton questioned the design of the houses and whether any were being designed as “homes for life”. The Cabinet Member for Housing responded that the Councils have a housing design guide that includes “homes for life” designs which would be used for upcoming developments when possible.
32.5 Councillor Ekpenyong followed up that external developers should be encouraged to use the housing design guide as much as possible.
32.6 Councillor Grandon questioned whether the need to downsize had been considered and if there were enough smaller properties being built. The Housing Strategy and Policy Officer responded that a downsizing policy was currently being explored. The Corporate Manager for Housing Solutions added that an Older Persons Housing Strategy was currently being developed that would also focus on downsizing and would ascertain the need for this through public consultation and engagement.
32.7 Councillor Grandon requested that the downsizing policy encompass the needs of all our residents rather than focussing exclusively on older people.
32.8 Councillor Matthissen noted that there needed to be more physical support, alongside the proposed financial incentives, to aid people in moving to smaller properties.
32.9 Councillor Grandon queried how many homeless people were currently within our Districts and what was being done to prevent there being a rise in the number of homeless people as a result of the cost of living crisis. The Corporate Manager for Housing Solutions responded that within Babergh they have received 46 applications (19 Prevention and 9 Relief) and 47 applications (20 Prevention and 7 Relief) in Mid Suffolk by the end of September 2022. Also, that those involved in the strategy were taking a pro-active approach in response to the cost of living crisis and have been making residents aware of the support that they can receive from the Councils in the event that their placement in their home is threatened.
32.10 The Cabinet Member for Housing followed up that in Babergh there were plans to increase the temporary housing stock so that those coming forward as homeless could be put into accommodation as quickly as possible.
32.11 Councillor Ekpenyong queried the status of the homelessness applications that were not classed as “Preventions” or “Relief”. The Corporate Manager for Housing Solutions responded that these ... view the full minutes text for item 32.
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JOS/22/18 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:
Minutes: 33.1 The Forthcoming Decisions List was noted.
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JOS/22/19 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY ACTION TRACKER PDF 85 KB Minutes: 34.1 Councillor Welham advised that an updated version of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Action Tracker would be discussed at the next Joint Chairs’ Briefing and brought to the next committee.
34.2 The Action Tracker was noted.
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JOS/22/20 BABERGH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY WORK PLAN PDF 140 KB To agree the Work Plan Minutes: 35.1 The Babergh Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan was noted.
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JOS/22/21 MID SUFFOLK OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY WORK PLAN PDF 140 KB To agree the Work Plan Minutes: 36.1 The Mid Suffolk Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan was noted.
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