Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee welcomed the progress made by NEW homes to date against its business plan and the NEW homes future growth strategy projections and proposals; and

(b)       That the Committee were content that the appropriate governance arrangements were in place. 

The Service Manager – Housing Programmes introduced a report to update the Committee on the second full year of operation of North East Wales (NEW) Homes and the progress it had made against the 2015/20 business plan and growth strategy.  He detailed the background to the report and introduced Ms. Jan Lysett who was an independent board member.

Councillor Bernie Attridge, who was the Chairman of the NEW Homes Board, commented on the exciting opportunities that had arisen for Flintshire County Council since the introduction of NEW Homes, which allowed an increase in the range of housing options for the “squeezed middle” housing market.  He spoke of the realisation of the need for small steps at the beginning of the Company and the new learning experience for all concerned.  He commented on approaches by other local authorities on the work undertaken by Flintshire County Council to set up the Company and to seek advice and guidance on best practice so they could also consider this as an option. .  Flintshire County Council was the first in Wales to set up such a company and it was heartening to see a projected operating surplus of £33,000 for 2015/16, which he welcomed.  He introduced Ms. Jan Lysett who was an Independent Board Member and asked her to explain her background and the way forward that had been agreed by the Board. 

Ms. Lysett thanked the Committee for the opportunity to attend the meeting.  She explained that she had been on the Board since its inception and detailed her background which had included 30 years in the area of social housing and her current work for a housing association in Cheshire.  She welcomed the exciting opportunity to be part of the company and commended the Council for being forward thinking in meeting its housing obligations.  Slow and steady progress had been made and the Board had recognised that this was the necessary approach.  Ms. Lysett spoke of the other two independent board members (one had very recently been appointed).  She also said that one of the key headlines was the opportunity to develop new homes.  She added that the projected operating surplus was also to be welcomed. 

The Service Manager – Housing Programmes spoke of the increase in the housing portfolio through Section 106 agreements and commented on one scheme which it had been intended would be delivered in 2015/16 but this had been delayed slightly.  He also commented on the steady growth in the areas of management of properties for landlords through a management agreement and commented on the introduction of a Rent Smart Wales scheme which was a compulsory licensing and registration scheme for landlords; close working with local landlords was continuing.   The introduction of the over 55’s scheme had not gone as well as had been hoped.

The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) spoke of the next 12 months and the consideration being given to borrowing against “gifted units” to produce more properties to let.  A report was to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89