Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Harker, Councillor Smith attended as a substitute.

To appoint a Vice Chairman for the 2019-2020 municipal year.

Proposed by Councillor Hanley

Seconded by Councillor Smith

and RESOLVED that Councillor Ross be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Housing and Communities Scrutiny Committee for the 2019-2020 municipal year.

To receive declarations of the existence and nature of any private interests, both disclosable pecuniary and any other registrable interests, in any matter to be considered or being considered.

No declarations of interest were made at this meeting.

To receive a verbal update and ask questions of the Housing and Health Portfolio Holder in respect of work being undertaken to address the lack of affordable rented accommodation in Eden.

The Committee received an update from and asked questions of the Housing and Health Portfolio Holder, the Assistant Director Community Services and the Housing Research Officer in respect of work being undertaken to address the lack of affordable rented accommodation in Eden.  The following points were made:

·         there are a number of ways of defining ‘affordable rent’;

·         the recent housing needs survey, which is available on the Eden District Council website and parish surveys provide an evidence base;

·         housing provision needs to respond to the changing population demographics and levels of income;

·         Eden District Council is supporting a number of Community led initiatives in conjunctions with Action with Communities in Cumbria;

·         Eden District Council provides support in a number of ways for example: the Community Housing Fund; Section 106 Agreements; the Mortgage Boost Scheme with Penrith Building Society, the Disabled Facilities Grants; Empty Homes Grants and the Affordable Warmth project;

·         sustainability was being considered in the  Housing Supplementary Policy Document, in line with the Local Plan; and

·         there is concern over the lack of residential care in Eden.

The Housing and Health Portfolio Holder advised the Committee that the Draft Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which came to the Housing and Communities Scrutiny Committee in January was out to public consultation.  Members were invited to undertake the online survey. 

The Housing and Health Portfolio Holder welcomed input from Members on the Draft Housing Strategy which was under development.

Proposed by Councillor Hanley

Seconded by Councillor Orchard

and RESOLVED that:

1.            the update be noted; and

2.            the Housing and Health Portfolio Holder be invited to present a briefing for all Members, in respect of the Housing Supplementary Planning Document and the Draft Housing Strategy.

The Chairman thanked the Portfolio Holder and Officers for their update.

The Housing and Health Portfolio Holder, the Assistant Director Community Services and the Housing Research Officer left the meeting at 8:06pm.

To receive a verbal update from the Chairman.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Chairman in relation to the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Board.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

To receive a verbal update from Councillor M Hanley.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Chairman in relation to the Cumbria Health & Wellbeing

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

To receive a verbal update from the Chairman and consider future work plan items.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Chairman in relation to the Housing and Communities work plan.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

There were no items of urgent business from the Chairman at this meeting.

The date of the next scheduled meeting be confirmed as 21 November 2019.

The next meeting of the Committee was confirmed as 21 November 2019.