Issue - items at meetings - KD 4841 - Housing and Growth Strategy

Issue - meetings

KD 4841 - Housing and Growth Strategy

Meeting: 29/01/2020 - Council (Item 11)

11 Housing and Growth Strategy pdf icon PDF 183 KB

To receive the report of the Executive Director Place seeking Council approval for the Housing and Growth Strategy.  Key Decision Reference Number:  4841

(Report No:  166)

 

Council is asked to note that Cabinet is due to consider this report and recommend to Council at the meeting on the 22 January 2020. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Caliskan proposed and Councillor Needs seconded the report of the Executive Director Place seeking Council approval for the Housing and Growth Strategy.  (Report No:  166)

 

NOTED

 

1.            That Cabinet had recommended that Council approve the Housing and Growth Strategy at their meeting held on 22 January 2020.

2.            Homelessness was increasing and home owning was becoming increasingly out of reach for many people.  To buy a house in Enfield took about 12 times the medium average salary.  Enfield had one of the highest numbers of homeless households in the country. 

3.            The government was unwilling to intervene in this broken housing market.  This strategy has been developed to address the problems.  It included five priorities to achieve the vision of good homes in well connected neighbourhoods, five areas of focus including affordability.  Households were spending on average 40% of their income on housing costs.  The Council would be borrowing to invest in new 3.500 new Council homes and spending money to improve the existing housing stock.  They planned to bring the Council maintenance service back in house.  To improve the quality of housing in the private rented sector through the additional and selective licensing scheme.  They were planning to set up their own ethical letting agent.  They would continue to play a leading role in placemaking, involving residents in their own communities.  Good growth was not just about homes but about meeting the needs of all residents including schools, infrastructure and health facilities. 

At this point in the meeting Councillor Ergin Erbil moved and Councillor Maguire seconded a proposal that we move to item 16 on the agenda Motions. 

 

This was agreed after a vote with the following result: 

 

For:  37

Against:  16

Abstentions: 0

 

AGREED

 

1.            To approve the Housing and Growth Strategy.

 

2.            To note that Cabinet is to agree the following at its meeting on the 22 January 2020. 

·           To delegate authority to the Leader, as the portfolio for new housing supply and regeneration, to approve measurable targets to deliver the strategy.

·           To note that key metrics will also be monitored in the 2020 Corporate Performance Report submitted quarterly to Cabinet.

2.2.3 To note that the targets will be published as an appendix to the strategy once these are finalised, with a planned date for publication being April 2020.

 


Meeting: 22/01/2020 - Cabinet (Item 6)

6 Housing and Growth Strategy pdf icon PDF 183 KB

A report from Sarah Cary, Executive Director Place is attached.  (Key decision - reference number 4841) 

                                                (Report No: 166)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Nesil Caliskan (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Executive Director – Place (No.166) presenting the Housing and Growth Strategy.

 

NOTED

 

1.            That the Housing and Growth Strategy set out the overarching vision and direction of the Council in relation to delivering housing growth and balanced housing markets in Enfield for the benefit of all residents.

 

2.            The key aims of the Strategy as set out in the report which sought to address the housing crisis within the Borough. The last Strategy had been produced in 2012.

 

3.            Members discussed the current housing situation and highlighted the rise in private sector rents in proportion to the average salary and the significant rise in homelessness.

 

4.            That this Strategy was ambitious and sought to increase more and better housing provision in the Borough; to address current inequalities; provide a more balanced housing market; and enable local people to access good quality housing.

 

5.            The five bold ambitions of the Strategy as set out in section 4 of the report and summarised below:

 

·         More affordable homes for local people

·         Invest in and be proud of our council homes

·         Quality and variety in private housing

·         Inclusive placemaking

·         Accessible housing pathways and homes for everyone

 

6.            The principles of the Strategy as set out in section 4 of the report. The Strategy set out a new ambitious and radical approach with significant targets to increase the supply of new homes in the Borough. This represented a part of the overall work being introduced by the Council in addressing housing needs including; homelessness services; private sector licensing; housing repairs service; estate regeneration; and partnership working.

 

7.            The Council’s priority regarding the importance of housing provision in the Borough was discussed and highlighted.

 

8.            Members expressed their support for the Strategy and were proud of the progress being made in the provision of safe, secure and affordable homes. The Council had also committed to improving its existing housing and sought to continue to raise standards in housing provision.

 

9.            Questions were invited and a detailed discussion took place. Issues raised included the provision of specialist housing to meet the needs of residents with additional needs to allow them to live independently in their own homes. The measures being taken to improve affordability of housing and how this would help to shape the local housing market. The work being done by the Council to reduce and prevent homelessness. The provision of accessible housing for families and young people with long-term physical needs and the work currently being undertaken in reviewing the Council’s housing allocations priorities. Members were advised of the variety of measures in place and planned.

 

10.         In addition, Members were advised the appropriate housing support services would be based within the community to support residents and respond to areas where high levels of risk were identified. The current issues including a population growth in the Borough; and an increase in the cost of rents and residential housing; and, an increase in homelessness.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6