To consider the above.

Further to the Council meeting held on 10 December 2015, Members considered the submitted report on the Mayor’s response to the objections raised by the Council and proposed a revised Torbay Housing Strategy 2015-2020.

It was proposed by Councillor King and seconded by Councillor Mills:

that Torbay’s Housing Strategy including “My Home is My Life” and the new Homelessness Strategy set out at Appendices 2, 3 and 4 to the submitted report be approved.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Thomas (D) and seconded by Councillor Darling (S):

(i)         that, subject to (ii) below, Torbay’s Housing Strategy including “My Home is My Life” and the new Homelessness Strategy set out at Appendices 2, 3 and 4 to the submitted report be approved;  and

(ii)        that the following table be added to the Housing Strategy as an action plan:

To consider the submitted report on the above policy framework document and the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Members considered the submitted report setting out Torbay’s Housing Strategy 2015-2020.  It was noted the Housing Strategy was an overarching document which co-ordinated a number of priorities and documents to ensure a strategic approach for all housing tenures in Torbay.

It was proposed by Councillor King and seconded by Councillor Mills:

that Torbay’s Housing Strategy including “My Home is My Life” and the new Homelessness Strategy set out at Appendices 2, 3 and 4 to the submitted report be approved.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Thomas (D) and seconded by Councillor Darling:

That the Council formally objects to the draft Housing Strategy on the basis that:

i)          the targets contained therein are not sufficiently specific, measureable, attainable, relevant and timely;

ii)         the targets contained therein are not sufficiently ambitious;

iii)        the strategy does not detail sufficiently how the Council’s assets will be utilised in order to deliver the strategy;

iv)        the strategy is not clear whether the delivery plans contained therein are considered to be a part of the Policy Framework;  and

v)         that the role of Overview and Scrutiny in the Housing Partnership Steering/Monitoring Group is not clear.

In accordance with the Constitution, Standing Order – Budget and Policy Framework, paragraph F4.9, the Council therefore requires the Mayor to consider this objection and by 8 January 2016 either:

a)         submit a revision of the Housing Strategy with the reasons for any amendments to the Council for its consideration;  or

b)         inform the Council of any disagreement that the Executive has with any of the Council’s objections and the Executive’s reasons for any such disagreement.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared carried.

The substantive motion (to refer the Council’s objections to the Mayor) was then before Members for consideration.

On being put to the vote, the substantive motion was declared carried.

(Note:  During consideration of Minute 104, Councillor O’Dwyer declared his non-pecuniary interest.)

To consider the draft Housing Strategy and associated documents and to make any recommendations to the Council.

The Executive Lead for Housing, Transport and Waste attended the meeting of the Board and presented the draft Housing Strategy which included the draft Homelessness Strategy.

The Board raised a number of questions in relation to the Council’s role in ensuring an appropriate number of affordable homes to meet the varying needs of the communities in Torbay, the linkages between the Housing Strategy and the Local Plan and how the proposed Aligned Investment Plan would be managed.

Resolved:  that the following views and recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Board be forwarded to the Council:

·        The Board would wish to see more detail within the Housing Strategy in order to give it confidence that the Strategy can be delivered practically over its lifetime.

·        The Housing and Health Needs Assessment clearly identifies the needs of the different communities in Torbay.  The Housing Strategy should be amended to articulate how those needs will be met.

·        The targets for the delivery of units of affordable housing within the lifetime of the Housing Strategy should be explicit within the Strategy.

·        Alternative methods of bringing forward affordable housing units should be explored within the Strategy rather than just relying on the requirement within the Local Plan that 30% of new housing developments should be  affordable.

·        There should be reference in the Housing Strategy to the policy in relation to Community Investment Areas in the Local Plan.

·        There should be a representative of the Overview and Scrutiny Board on the Housing Partnership Steering/Monitoring Group.

·        The criteria for the Aligned Investment Plan should include outcomes which meet the identified needs of the community rather than being wholly treasury management led (as indicated within the Supporting Information for the Housing Strategy).  The timescale for the implementation of that Fund should also be included within the Strategy.

·        The timescale for the preparation of the delivery plans which sit below the Housing Strategy should be included within the document.

·        The Board notes that, within the Housing and Health Needs Assessment (summarised in My Home is My Life), there has been a significant increase in referrals for Disabled Facilities Grants and is pleased that this stream of funding has not been re-allocated at this stage.