Agenda item

To consider report CEX/067 of the Chief Executive.

The Commission considered report CEX/067 of the Chief Executive.  As a result of the costs being attributed to housing and in particular temporary accommodation, at the meeting on 29 January 2024 the Commission felt that it would be beneficial to receive a detailed report on the rising costs and data attributing to these factors.

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Chief Executive, the Commission raised a number of queries. The issues raised and key responses included:   

·         Homelessness was one of the biggest issues facing the Council and the report was welcomed in providing additional information on this matter.

·         Acknowledgement that the current scale of the predicament facing the borough as well as others across the country was unsustainable.

·         Commission members were updated that much groundwork had taken place within the sector in anticipation of the budget announcement. Partnership working continued with other authorities and the District Councils Network around the Housing Benefit Subsidy (the government contribution to the Council meeting its statutory duty) as the amount had been frozen since 2011.

·         There had been marginal measures to assist the Council as a result of the budget, including increasing the cap from 40% to 50% on the percentage of the cost of a replacement home that can be funded from Right to Buy (RTB) receipts.  It was noted that RTB sales had declined over the last few years and reforms had recently been proposed to the RTB scheme with suggestions that councils maintain a degree of local determination in the application of RTB policy which would allow discretion within the scheme.

·         Following the Notice of Motion in February 2024, the Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing had written to various government departments to urge them to take decisive action following the housing emergency declaration.  Concerns raised included the Housing Benefit Subsidy, additional housing pressures arising from asylum contingency dispersal (following the same principles as agreement for the Chagossians Overseas Territories Citizenship scheme), along with the impact of water neutrality. It was queried whether there was a need to campaign more openly and highlight the consequences should the housing issue not be addressed.

·         Concerns were raised over the growing demand and constricted supply of housing, with the inevitable result of cost increases, which also impacted on other Council services. It was recognised that over the last several years, approximately 1600 affordable and social houses have been built and whilst water neutrality had impacted this, longer term housing development was key.

·         Acknowledgement that the budget for 2024/24 showed a predicted new cost of £5.25m, however this was very much dependent on the success and delivery of mitigations being developed and delivered. Trends, costs and acquisitions were continually being explored however the risk factors were harder to predict.

·         Clarity provided regarding the Water Neutrality Strategy that provided mechanisms for circumventing the issue. The current Crawley Homes retrofitting had come from the HRA and assisted the progression of housing development.

·         Confirmation provided that population growth was a consideration and the Local Plan set out the figures and housing needs for the borough over the next 15 years. The Council would need to be using Duty to Cooperate with other authorities in order to meet its wider housing need.

RESOLVED

That the update be noted, with the views and actions expressed being acknowledged and documented by the officers.