Agenda item

That the Committee endorse proposals contained within the Draft Local Housing Strategy.

The Director of Community Services delivered a presentation about the draft Flintshire Local Housing Strategy 2012-17.  The main features of the presentation were:

• Achievements in 2011-12
• Objectives such as more housing and choice, improving homes and communities and better services
• Next Steps

The Director then invited questions from the Committee.

Councillor P. Shotton asked about incentives to reduce under-occupancy and the possibility of using prefabricated modular housing on Flintshire owned land.  The Director of Community Services said that prefabricated homes had been previously considered.  The Housing Strategy Manager said that he would investigate further.  The Principal Planner said that he was aware of “Ty Unos” modular buildings made from sustainable Welsh woodland materials which could be constructed in one day.  He agreed that this should be explored.  The Head of Housing said that areas of land for potential housing had been identified, that garage sites would be reviewed and that self build schemes would be explored.  In response to the question about incentives for relocation, the Head of Housing explained that tenants who choose to downsize would be offered an incentive of up to £1000 and would receive help with removal costs.

Councillor A.M. Halford thanked the Director of Community Services for the presentation and report.  She asked if the 300 proposed units for extra care identified in the strategy would be sufficient, given the projected increase in persons over 65 years of age.   The Director of Community Services said that the Housing Strategy Manager had looked at the need for extra care in Flintshire and had concluded that 300 would be a modest expectation.

Councillor P.J. Curtis asked if the demolition of the Flint Maisonettes would have a detrimental effect on the housing waiting list and if applications were on hold until tenants of the maisonettes had been re-housed. The Head of Housing said that she would investigate and asked Councillor Curtis to provide the background to his concerns.  The Head of Housing said that cases that are prioritised include people with medical issues and the homeless.

Councillor Halford asked if the planning applications for Flint renewal had been submitted.  The Principal Planner said that the project was at the design stage, prior to its submission to planning.

Councillor R. Hughes asked if there would be provision for older people in rural communities who wish to down size their property. He said that there was a vacant parcel of land in his ward which would be suitable for development. The Director of Community Services said that extra care could support such people and that flexible schemes in rural areas needed consideration.  The Housing Strategy Manager said that there was a Rural Housing Enabler working in Flintshire who would analyse need and research various options besides the social rented sector such as affordable housing, part rent/part mortgage.  The Principal Planner said that provision for local need was not in the Unitary Development Plan but would feature in the Local Development Plan Rural Development Strategy.

Councillor Halford asked if the parcel of land referred to by Councillor R. Hughes could be developed with prefabricated homes.  The Principal Planner explained that if the site was on private land, the development would have to be financially viable, possibly through cross subsidisation.  He added that the Council needed to be aware of all these sites in order to investigate their viability.

Councillor G. Hardcastle asked how many empty homes there were in Flintshire.  The Housing Strategy Manager replied that there were 550 private sector homes.  The Head of Housing said that under the Welsh Government Houses to Homes initiative, an interest free loan of up to £150,000 per applicant can be made and must be repaid within 3 years, in addition to £200,000 from the Council to bring private houses in disrepair back into use.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee endorse proposals contained within the Draft Local Housing Strategy.