Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee supported the establishment of the proposed

            Housing Company;

(b)       That the comments made by the Committee be passed to Cabinet; and

(c)        That the Committee receives quarterly update reports following the establishment of the Housing Company, with additional reports if required.

The Head of Housing Services introduced a report to explain the legal and governance issues around the establishment of the proposed housing company and to approve its creation.  She provided background information on the proposals and gave a presentation on the following main points:

·        Housing need – the evidence

·        Homes and services needed

·                    What could be offered to meet the need

·        Options to address the challenges

                           The Head of Legal and Democratic Services continued with the remainder of the presentation which addressed the questions which had been raised by Members during the workshop held on the establishment of a Housing Company, around the following issues:

·        Governance

·        Finance/Assets

·        Operational matters

·        How is the process being managed

·        Technical issues

                           The Chairman thanked the Head of Housing Services and Head of Legal and Democratic Services for their detailed presentations and invited Members to raise any further questions.

                           During discussion Members sought further clarification around the financial, legal, and governance implications for the Authority of establishing a Housing company.  They also raised queries in relation to gifted properties, the needs of elderly residents who owned a property which was difficult to maintain and no longer suitable for their purpose, and the letting and managing of properties on behalf of private landlords.

                           Councillor Brian Lloyd raised concerns around the possibility of the Authority being asked to stand as guarantor for the Housing Company in the future.  The Head of Housing Services commented on the business plan currently being prepared for the Company and gave reassurance that there was no immediate intention to request the Authority to stand as guarantor.  Members asked that if such a need arose that the Committee be consulted on any decision.   

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin emphasised the need for more affordable homes to be built as part of any future residential developments.  Members expressed the view that the focus of the Housing Company should be on homes to rent as opposed to homes to buy.  Councillor Dolphin asked how many Local Authorities in England had established a similar Housing Company.  The Head of Housing said she would provide this information to the Committee.  

Officers responded to the comments and concerns raised by Members.  The Head of Housing provided reassurance that the principle of the model was to ensure local services for local people.   The Committee supported the need to establish the Housing Company and its intended purpose.  It was suggested and agreed that quarterly updates on progress would be submitted to the Committee through the regular performance monitoring mechanism with additional reports if required. 

RESOLVED

(a)       That the Committee supported the establishment of the proposed

            Housing Company;

(b)       That the comments made by the Committee be passed to Cabinet; and

(c)        That the Committee receives quarterly update reports following the establishment of the Housing Company, with additional reports if required.