Cabinet received and considered Minute OSC21/33 arising from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) held on 22 November 2021 regarding the Review of the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2019-2024). 

The OSC had considered in detail the update on the progress of the Improvement Delivery Plan of the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2019-2014), in particular the three strategic priorities: Increasing the Supply of Housing; Rough Sleeping, Homelessness and Meeting Housing Aspirations; and Improving the quality and suitability of existing housing and new build housing.   The OSC had been particularly keen to ensure that the use of pre-fabricated buildings for Temporary Accommodation (TA) on suitable Council owned was considered. 

The Housing Needs Policy and Projects Manager updated Members on the latest position in relation to the three strategic priorities.  It was confirmed that it was already adopted Council Policy to consider modular construction / pre-fabricated etc housing.  It was noted that whilst the number of empty homes that had been brought back into use was just five, it was in its infancy as an approach and finding owners and solutions was a challenge;  it was also noted that many empty homes in the district were as a result of probate, a lengthy legal process and there would always be a significant number in any given year that were in that category. 

Cabinet was delighted to note the progress that had been made and the number of targets that had already been achieved and the Head of Housing and Community and his team were congratulated; new targets had been set to ensure continued delivery of the strategy. 

RESOLVED: That:

1)    ‘targets achieved’ as listed in Appendix B to the report be removed from the Improvement Delivery Plan and replaced with the proposed new/amended targets at Appendix A to the report with revised outcomes included;

2)    progress made against the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy included in the Improvement Delivery Plan (Appendix A to the report) be noted;

3)    future reviews of the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2019-2024) be split into a Housing Review and a Rough Sleeping Review; and

4)    suitable Council-owned sites to accommodate pre-fabricated buildings to be used as temporary accommodation, be further explored.