Cabinet Member for Housing
Minutes:
57.1 Councillor Hadingham introduced the report and informed Council that the HRA Business Plan being developed would set out the income and expenditure plans for delivering council housing services and would include key council housing priorities for the forthcoming years.
57.2 Councillor Passmore asked if there was a timescale for the business plan being finalised.
57.3 Councillor Hadingham stated that it was hoped to bring the final plan to the April council meeting.
57.4 Councillor Eburne asked if green and open spaces, such as extended verges, that are used for parking could be reviewed and solutions be sought to stop them being used for parking.
57.5 Councillor Hadingham said that this could be investigated.
57.6 Councillor Mellen enquired what under occupiers were being encouraged to do in paragraph 9.5 on page 148 of the report.
57.7 Gavin Fisk – Assistant Director for Housing clarified that part of the plan would be to encourage and support those who wished to downsize to maximise the housing stock available.
57.8 Councillor Otton asked if the tenants involved in the governance model would have voting rights.
57.9 Councillor Hadingham stated that it was important that tenants felt that they were being listened to and that their points were valid.
57.10 Councillor Warboys asked if more staff should be actively promoting digital channels to tenants.
57.11 The Assistant Director for Housing said he would be looking to ensure that officers promote all the opportunities including the digital tools that were available and being part of the landlord service and having a say.
57.12 Councillor Matthissen asked if the extent of under occupancy problem within the housing service was known and were enough resources being put into helping people to downsize.
57.13 The Assistant Director for Housing replied that statistics regarding under occupancy were not available as it had not been a previous focus, however it would be focussed on as part of this plan and a proactive approach to identify and assist tenants needs and desires with regard to downsizing would be taken.
57.14 Councillor Welham asked if it was possible for tenants to appoint someone to access the digital platforms on their behalf.
57.15 The Assistant Director for Housing stated there was a facility to support a tenant to have an advocate to act on their behalf.
57.16 Councillor Mansel began the debate by stating that she was happy to see that tenant involvement had been included along with extensive consultation and that she hoped the comments and questions raised during the meeting would be considered in the final plan.
57.3 Councillor Hadingham proposed the recommendations contained in the report which Councillor Flatman seconded.
It was RESOLVED:-
1. That Full Council note the approach that had been taken and the progress that has been made in developing the HRA Business Plans along with the overarching aims as set out in this report.
2. That the creation of a new HRA Business Plan be approved.
3. That a final draft of the plan including any financial costings will be presented to Full Council in April 2022, after the 2022/23 budget setting process has been completed.
Supporting documents: