Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will announce any late items for consideration.

Any apologies for absence will be noted at this point.

Apologies were received from Cllr Sharp and Cllr Todhunter.

The Chairman informed the Panel that the order of agenda items had been revised to allow a speaker to present remotely, and that Agenda Item ‘Custom and Self Build Options’ would be the last item to be presented.

The Panel is requested to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2023 (the meeting on 29 February 2024 was cancelled).

The minutes from the Panel held on 2 November 2023 were approved as a correct record.

Members are asked to make any declarations of disclosable pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial interests which they might have in respect of matters on the agenda for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Panel is requested to review and note the Task and Finish Group – Terms of Reference and the Council’s Housing Strategy.

Ms Standing introduced the item and briefed Members on the Council’s Housing and Homelessness Strategy and its objectives. A Task and Finish Group will be formed to review the strategy’s performance.

The Task and Finish Group review period timetable outlines the delivery date for each action and demonstrates how the group is expected to progress.

The Chairman was pleased with the reports and the information provided. Upon reviewing strategy documents from across the country, Officers will be streamlining these reports to ensure that they are easy to understand and more accessible to residents.

The Chairman stated that dealing with the Housing and Homeless Strategy is a difficult task, but it is important to remain consistent and deliver for residents. The Chairman emphasised that temporary accommodation is not the solution for the housing crisis, but that permanent accommodation is. The work conducted by the Panel and its Officers will help develop the strategy, as it’s being implemented. In this sense, the strategy operates as a framework.

Cllr Bangert was pleased with the suggested improvements to make reports more accessible and clearer, as she had received feedback that the reports can be difficult to review.

Cllr Hickson agreed with the Chairman that the strategy should act as a framework, it is not an action or work plan. A document that sets out the framework and its associated policies would be useful to illustrate this.

Upon reviewing Brighton & Hove’s strategy reports, there are several improvements that can be adopted to improve inhouse reporting. The data used to support Brighton & Hove’s reports was verified by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment. The report also contains additional information regarding local demographic, affordability and other important factors.

Cllr Hickson volunteered to become a Member of the Task and Finish Group and stated that, in addition to residents and Officers, it is important to also consult with deliverers. As the Council’s registered partners and stakeholders, deliverers play a key role and should be included in consultation.

Cllr Hickson asked whether the Council’s reports will be updated in line with the Strategic Housing Market Assessment.

Ms Standing agreed that communicating with all the relevant parties is of the utmost importance and stated that the Strategic Housing Market Assessment will be completed.

The Chairman added that organising a potential summit between these providers would be beneficial to review any ongoing issues.

The Chairman asked the Panel to approve the Membership of the Task and Finish Group.

The Panel agreed the following Members:

·       Chairman David Betts

·       Cllr Tracie Bangert

·       Cllr Roy Briscoe

·       Cllr Bill Brisbane

·       Cllr Donna Johnson

·       Cllr Oona Hickson

With regards to the Housing and Homelessness Strategy, Cllr Hamilton asked if there is an approximate guide as to how many people are currently on the list, and how the data compares to one year ago.

Ms Standing confirmed that this data will be brought to the next Task and Finish Group, including national data and statistics for the last five-year period. Ms Standing offered to e-mail this information across  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Panel is requested to review and note the Draft Housing, Communities, Culture & Sport Panel Work Programme 2024-2025.

Mrs Rudziak introduced the item and advised the Panel that the work programme is open to amendments as the year progress.

Items included in the workplan had been directed from the Business Routeing Panel, in addition to existing items such as BEAM, a review of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and a new “Protect” duty. The work programme will be brought to each meeting, so that Members can provide their input.

RESOLVED:

The Panel reviewed and noted the Draft Housing, Communities, Culture & Sport Panel Work Programme 2024-2025.

The Panel is requested to note the update provided in relation to the outcome of the BEAM Pilot.

Ms Standing introduced the item and briefed Members on BEAM’s objectives. The BEAM project is a new initiative which is currently in a trial period. The objective is to work with homeless people to secure long-lasting employment.

There are three main benefits to working with BEAM. One benefit is that BEAM helps clients secure accommodation in the private rented sector, which in the current climate is particularly difficult. The second benefit is that BEAM provide training and support to clients to prepare for employment. Ms Standing noted that it is important to ensure that people are matched with suitable roles, which will result in more long-lasting employment. Another benefit provided is crowd funding. This can help with more specific client needs, such as clothes for the interview, or specialised training.

The project began in late 2022, with the pilot being undertaken in 2023. Over the course of the pilot, there have been twelve resolved outcomes. Nine of these have resulted in employment. Three clients have been accepted into accommodation in the private sector. The remaining thirteen cases are still ongoing. Ms Standing advised that she will present more detailed information regarding each case at the next meeting. Officers have also reviewed the BEAM programme against a similar Council programme, known as “Choose Work”. This will allow officers to compare performance and review the efficiency of each programme. In addition to this, Officers are compiling research regarding the private rented sector. This research will be available soon and will help further inform the Council’s Housing strategy.

The Chairman thanked Ms Standing for the information provided and added that it is important to adopt a holistic approach when dealing with homelessness, as the objective is not just to secure employment and accommodation, but to ensure that people remain in long-lasting employment and accommodation.

Cllr Hamilton asked how BEAM works alongside Stonepillow.

Ms Standing advised that the Council has been working with BEAM from the beginning of the project. It’s important for clients to have the correct mindset when participating in the project, as one of the initial issues was working with clients who weren’t quite ready to continue working on the scheme. She stated that the Council work very closely with Stonepillow to analyse the best way to give effective support.

Cllr Bangert stated that there’s no quick fix for these scenarios, sometimes it can take a long time to secure these placements. Cllr Bangert asked whether members of the Choose Work Scheme would be able to attend the Panel to provide an update on their cases.

Ms Bushby advised that we can look into this further.

Cllr Hickson stated that the data provided in these reports will provide useful insight, particularly where the Council can adjust its approach based off the feedback received.

RESOLVED:

The Panel noted the update provided in relation to the outcome of the BEAM Pilot.

The Panel is requested to:

1.    Discuss and provide feedback in relation to the introduction of a policy for determining applications to Homes England seeking a waiver in Designated Protected Areas (DPA).

2.    Recommend to Cabinet that delegated authority be granted to the Divisional Manager for Housing, Revenues and Benefits to make minor changes to the policy and as set out in section 5 of the policy.

Ms Williams introduced the item and advised that Members are being invited to provide feedback for the introduction of a policy regarding waiver applications in designated protect areas.

Ms Williams briefed Members on the current restrictions on staircasing limits, how designated protected areas operate, the policy objectives and the proposals listed.

Cllr Hamilton asked how much of this area falls in the National Park.

Ms Williams advised that it is approximately 85% of the district, with only two or three areas that aren’t included.

Cllr Hickson commented that this is a sensible way to proceed. It is important for the Panel to monitor the waiver area and to prevent affordable housing from disappearing.

Cllr Brown-Fuller stated that it is unjust that residents have so much difficulty to access affordable housing. The system is clearly not working for those who need it and requires reform.

RESOLVED:

The Panel:

1. Discussed and provided feedback in relation to the introduction of a policy for determining applications to Homes England seeking a waiver in Designated Protected Areas (DPA) and will recommend this policy to cabinet.

2. Will recommend to Cabinet that delegated authority be granted to the Divisional Manager for Housing, Revenues, and Benefits to make minor changes to the policy and as set out in section 5 of the policy.

The Panel is requested to note the update provided in relation to the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF).

Ms Williams introduced the item and briefed the Panel on the progress made in the different programmes, and how each programme is expected to progress.

Cllr Hickson highlighted the importance of this work and stated that, from personal experience, there are various complexities involved in the process. Families throughout Chichester did a brilliant job of hosting refugees and offering accommodation.

Cllr Hickson noted that Ukrainian refugees have been granted a three-year visa. However, it’s highly unlikely that these refugees will be able to return past this visa. Cllr Hickson stated that the scheme could’ve been organised in a more efficient format. Government have given the responsibility of processing refugees to higher tier authorities, whilst the housing responsibility lies with the District Council. This has created complications and inefficiencies.

Cllr Hickson asked if the information could be provided as a written report.

Ms Standing confirmed that she can provide this written report at the next meeting in July. Ms Standing thanked Ms Williams for her great work and in collecting the information for the presentation. The presentation will be shared with Members externally for their reference.

Ms Williams added that in several weeks, she will have more definitive data to compile a final summary for Members. This will be a written update for Member’s reference.

The Chairman thanked Ms Williams for the information provided in the report and for explaining the contents clearly.

Cllr Bangert asked for more information on the outstanding needs, as the figures presented seem low. At what rate is Council expected to fulfil the housing, and at what rate is it currently performing.

Ms Williams advised that the need comes via West Sussex County Council. At the beginning of the programme, there was a high level of need for Ukrainian families. Approximately two months after the programme began, the focus shifted to a higher volume of Afghan families. Current figures are in the hundreds. Ms Williams stated that, in her understanding, West Sussex County Council are resettling refugees upon arrival.

Ms Williams added that there are currently more families than the Council has funding for and whilst the Council can apply for more funding, it has been difficult to find providers that will work with the Council. The government are responsible for calculating the grant each area receives.

Mrs Rudziak confirmed that these grants are calculated using lower quartile house prices, however, it’s also based on the number of Ukrainian refugees present in the district.

Cllr Johnson commended the Officers on their work and in identifying suitable properties, especially considering how low the grant is and how expensive properties are in the area. The Officers had done an excellent job in maintaining their budget.

Based on her experience in West Sussex County Council, Cllr Johnson advised that the demand has recently slowed down. Several months ago, she had been receiving feedback that there was insufficient planning for what would happen if families needed to stay for longer periods of time. As time went by, some host families  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Panel is requested to:

1.    Note the Custom and Self-Build health check and the subsequent workstream activity undertaken over the past year.

2.    Recommend to Cabinet the revision of the eligibility criteria for entrance onto Part 1 of the Custom and Self Build Register.

3.    Recommend further publicising of the CSB Register including through the hosting of an open event for those with an interest.

Mr Bristow presented the item and briefed Members on the Custom & Self Build Register and the report provided. The report provides an update on work conducted in the last year, as a result of an independent health check that was undertaken by the Right to Build Task Force. The report also highlights actions that have been taken to bring the Council into line with latest best practice as recommended by the Right to Build Task Force.

Mr Bristow advised that the second section of the report asks the Panel to make the recommendation to Cabinet that the eligibility criteria for joining part one of the Custom and Self Build Register is slightly relaxed. This should bring the register more in-line with local connection and joining requirements for the general housing needs register. Mr Bristow clarified that there is a legal duty to provide enough planning permissions in relation to Part 1 of the register but that there is no legal obligation to those who are currently in part two.

Another change that is being recommended is regarding how applications are processed. At present, Officers must conduct financial tests for each applicant. However, upon reviewing this process, Officers considered these tests to be inappropriate, as the tests failed to factor important variables. As such it is recommended that this element is also removed.

The final section of the recommendation is asking the Panel and Cabinet whether the Council should hold an open event to provide further information on Custom and Self Build. The event will provide guidance on how to undertake a Custom and Self Build scheme and act as a networking event for landowners and applicants.

The Chairman noted that the Council has historically had opportunities for registered providers to purchase and build upon certain areas of land. However, in some cases Council was advised that the land was no longer suitable, due to lack of proximity with other residential areas.

The Chairman asked whether there has been any engagement with registered providers on this issue.

Mr Bristow advised that, as far as the Custom and Self Build is concerned, there are no requirements for registered providers to be involved in the process, unless the Council is specifically delivering an affordable housing custom and self build programme. There are several examples of this arrangement throughout England, however, registered providers generally have limited influence in Custom and Self Build.

With regards to land suitability, this will be subject to the usual planning applications process.

The Chairman stated that there may be some sites which are not being utilised to their maximum potential.

The Chairman asked whether it would be possible to engage with registered providers to discuss any potential sites which are not currently in use and may be disposed of.

Mr Bristow confirmed that there have been discussions with Hyde regarding such sites. Registered providers generally review these sites to determine whether they can be utilised to supplement their existing affordable housing stock.

Registered providers will also consider their capital  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Panel will consider any late items as announced by the Chairman under agenda item 1.

There were no late items.

The next meeting will take place on 17 July 2024.

The Panel noted the date of the next meeting as 17 July 2024.