Issue - meetings

Cllr D Wright

Cllr R Overton

Key Decision identified as Better Homes For All in the Notice of Key Decisions published on 10 June 2020.

Councillor D Wright, Cabinet Member for Economy, Housing, Transport and Infrastructure, presented the report of the Director: Housing, Employment & Infrastructure. The report provided Cabinet with an update on the programme.

Members noted the report, which advised:

·         More than 200 Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) had been licensed and two prosecutions had taken place to address poorly managed HMOs;

·         Over 400 enforcement notices had been issued to bring properties up to standard;

·         The first Banning Order in England had been granted, which prevented the landlord concerned with working in the property industry for up to five years;

·         Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers tackled all aspects of Anti Social Behaviour;

The report set out proposals to maintain and broaden the scope of the programme to make best use of and improve the quality of existing homes in the Borough. Two new priority areas had been identified for 2020/21:

·         Bringing long term empty residential properties back into use;

·         Tackling fuel poverty across the Borough by increasing the take up of energy efficiency schemes and funding. This included the publication of the Statement of Intent for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report and stated that housing was the foundation to build lives. Cabinet Members discussed the impact of fuel poverty and welcomed the support available to residents. A discussion was held in respect of the recent government announcements on fuel poverty and it was confirmed that the scheme would be looked at in detail to ensure residents received the most benefit.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the continued progress outlined in Section 4 of the report be noted;

(b)  The next steps as set out in Section 5 of the report, specifically 5.1.3 and 5.2.2 along with the Statement of Intent set out in Appendix A of the report, outlining the approach to Empty Properties in the Borough and Improving Energy Efficiency to help address fuel poverty be agreed;

(c)  That authority be delegated to the Director: Housing, Employment & Infrastructure, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Members for Housing, Transport & Infrastructure and Enforcement, Community Safety & Customer Services, to take the necessary steps to implement these recommendations.