Agenda item

(a)       That the Committee supports the overall approach for the delivery of new Council and affordable homes through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP); and

(b)       That the following Members be nominated as representatives to the Council’s Project Review Team of the Flintshire House Standard: Councillors Ian Dunbar, Ray Hughes, Ted Palmer and Dave Wisinger.

The Service Manager Housing Programmes introduced a report to provide an update on the progress of the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP).  He provided background information and reported on the individual schemes which were being undertaken or considered as part of the SHARP Programme going forward. 

                        The Service Manager Housing Programmes also reported on the main points, as detailed in the report, around progress on future sites which would deliver a mixture of Council Affordable and Shared Equity properties, funding for social housing, the Welsh Government Affordable Housing Grant and Innovative Housing Programme, Flintshire House Standard, and performance and community benefits.  

Referring to the Flintshire House Standard the Service Managed explained that it was proposed to establish a project team consisting of tenants, Elected Members and officers, to review the Flintshire House Standard to ensure it continued to provide quality homes and value for money to the Council and NEW Homes.  The Council would also use the opportunity to assess the Flintshire standard against the Welsh Government Technical Standards, making it eligible for the Affordable Housing Grant.  He asked for volunteers from the Committee to form a project team. 

Councillor Paul Shotton spoke in support of the SHARP Programme and expressed praise for both the new council and affordable homes which had been built to date.  He asked if solar panels could be installed on new build properties in the future.

Councillor Ray Hughes expressed his thanks to the Service Manager Housing Programmes and his team for the housing schemes at the Maes y Meillion and Heol Y Goron sites in Leeswood.  He asked that his thanks be passed to Wates for the work they were undertaking and for engaging with him, as the local Member, and local residents in keep all informed.

Councillor George Hardcastle raised a number of concerns around the Gary Speed development at Aston, particularly the availability of affordable homes for single people and the road highway infrastructure.  The Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) agreed to follow up the concerns about the road.  In response to a further query from Councillor George Hardcastle, the Service Manager advised that affordable homes/apartments were made available where possible to meet the needs of single people as well as families. 

Councillor David Wisinger asked what provision was made for disabled residents.  The Service Manager explained that the Service worked closely with the Specialist Housing Register to help those most in need and disabled people were consulted in the design of new build properties.    

Councillor George Hardcastle expressed the need for Members to be involved in the design of infrastructure for housing developments within their Ward.

In response to the Chairman’s request, the Chairman and Councillors David Wisinger, Ray Hughes, and Ted Palmer put their names forward to serve on the Flintshire House Standard Group.   

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee supports the overall approach for the delivery of new Council and affordable homes through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP); and

(b)       That the following Members be nominated as representatives to the Council’s Project Review Team of the Flintshire House Standard: Councillors Ian Dunbar, Ray Hughes, Ted Palmer and Dave Wisinger.