Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Housing Services.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at its meeting on 31 August 2010 and comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Housing Services was submitted, seeking approval for the Older Persons’ Housing Strategy 2010-2015.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at its meeting on 31 August 2010 and the support of Members was noted. The Committee’s request for the submission of a progress report to the Scrutiny Committee in March, in the light of the Comprehensive Spending Review, was noted.

Executive resolved that:-

(1)        the Older Persons’ Strategy be approved;

(2)        a further report on progress against the action plan be submitted annually; and

(3)        in accordance with the Local Government & Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, the draft Older Persons’ Housing Strategy and Action Plan be placed on the website and further comments invited from the community.

The report of the Head of Housing Services was submitted, seeking approval for the Older Persons’ Housing Strategy 2010-2015.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at its meeting on 31 August 2010 and the support of Members was noted. The Committee’s request for the submission of a progress report to the Scrutiny Committee in March, in the light of the Comprehensive Spending Review, was noted.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)        the Older Persons’ Housing Strategy be approved;

(2)        a further report on progress against the action plan be submitted annually; and

(3)        in accordance with the Local Government & Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, the draft Older Persons’ Housing Strategy and Action Plan be placed on the website and further comments invited from the community.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Housing Services – report circulated

The Head of Housing Services presented the report seeking approval for the Older Person’s Housing Strategy 2010-2015.

He enlarged on the report in response to Members’ queries:

·         although many of the actions set out in the Strategy were not reliant on funding, a clearer picture on what could be achieved would only be apparent following the announcement of the Comprehensive Spending Review in October;

·         the occupational therapist’s post, jointly funded with Devon County Council over the last three years, had been of great value but there was concern that the County might not be able to continue offering support in the future;

·         the St. Loyes development included a 50 unit extra care scheme that charged social rents. Funding for the care element would come from Devon County Council’s Domiciliary Care Support budget;

·         those moving to new properties would not receive downsizing grants, although removal costs, together with general support, would be provided; and

·         the garden assistance scheme could not be extended to other tenures but the availability of existing external providers was being examined.

Members requested an early update on progress with the strategy once the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review was known, with greater detail to be provided in the progress column.

Scrutiny Committee - Community supported the report and requested Executive to:

(1)        approve the Older Person’s Housing Strategy;

(2)        ensure the submission, to the March meeting of this Committee, of a progress report on the Strategy in light of the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review;

(3)        ensure the provision of further reports on an annual basis, on progress against the action plan; and

(4)        in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, ensure the placement of the draft Older Person’s Housing Strategy and Action Plan on the website for further comments to be invited from the community.

(Report circulated)