Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Housing Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 19 July 2018.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Housing Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 19 July 2018 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a presentation by the Managing Director of Fareham Housing which provides Members with an update on Affordable Housing.

The Panel received a presentation by the Affordable Housing Strategic Lead which provided Members with an update on the Affordable Housing position.  A copy of the presentation is appended to these minutes as Appendix A.

The presentation gave an overview of the recent bids that have been submitted to Homes England for additional borrowing capacity against the Housing Revenue Account.  It also provided Members with a comprehensive analysis of Housing Need across the Borough so that supply and demand can be matched. A summary of the urgency of housing need based on the circumstances of individual households was outlined and an in-depth analysis given of the various types of accommodation needed in different areas of the Borough.

Members also received a progress update on each of the key sites identified for affordable housing development along with a summary of the potential affordable housing that could be delivered through planning applications.

It was AGREED that:

(a)   the Panel notes the content of the presentation; and

(b)  the Panel’s thanks to Officers be placed on record for providing a very comprehensive and informative presentation.

To consider a report by the Managing Director of Fareham Housing on Tenancy Management Performance.

The Panel received a report by the Head of Housing and Benefits which provided Members with information about the housing management services provided by the Neighbourhood Team.

It was AGREED that:

(a)   the Panel notes the content of the report; and

(b)   the Panel’s thanks to Officers be placed on record for providing a very comprehensive and informative report.

To consider a report by the Managing Director of Fareham Housing on empty properties across the Borough.

The Panel received a report by the Head of Housing and Benefits which provided the Panel with an update on the activities being undertaken to bring empty properties across the Borough back into use.

It was AGREED that:

(a)   the Panel notes the content of the report; and

(b)  the Panel’s thanks to Officers be placed on record for providing a very comprehensive and informative report.

To consider a report by the Managing Director of Fareham Housing, which invites the Panel to review the work programme for 2018/19.

The Panel considered a report by the Managing Director of Fareham Housing which provided Members with an opportunity to review the Work Programme for 2018/19.

The Managing Director of Fareham Housing reminded Members that a report will be taken to the October Council meeting which recommends changes to the Policy Development and Review Panels.   The proposed changes have already been reviewed and recommended by the Scrutiny Board and the Executive and, if agreed by Council, will necessitate a full revision of the Work Programme.  

Subject to approval of the proposed changes to the Policy Development and Review Panels at the Council meeting in October, the following amendments to the Work Programme were AGREED:

(a)  the removal of the ‘Update on Homelessness’ from the agenda of the November meeting;

(b)  the addition of a scoping report to the agenda of the November meeting to enable Members to suggest topics for inclusion in any presentation that is made by a Housing Association when presenting an update on services at a future meeting of the Panel;

(c)  the meeting scheduled to take place on 24 January 2019 be cancelled;

(d)  the existing Council Housing and Maintenance report and the Tenancy Management report be amalgamated into a single report and added to the agenda of the meeting scheduled to take place on 07 March 2019;

(e)  the addition of a Housing Association presentation to the agenda of the meeting to be held in March; and

(f)   the addition of a report to the agenda of the meeting to be held in March that will summarise the changes being consulted on by Hampshire County Council in respect of Social Inclusion services.  This report will put forward a recommended response to the consultation and will encompass the issues of homelessness and rough sleeping.