The report of the Head of Housing Services was submitted, seeking Members’ views on the content of the revised Housing Strategy 2007 – 2012 and briefing Members on the results of the Exeter and Torbay Housing Market Assessment.
Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 4 September 2007 and the support and comments of members were noted.
The Head of Housing Services reported on Exeter’s excellent record on the provision of affordable housing and the particular success of incentive schemes in encouraging tenants who were under-occupying properties to move to smaller homes. He reported that certain statistics within the report were subject to clarification pending the signing-off of the Exeter and Torbay Housing Market Assessment. When finalised, the Assessment would be circulated to Members.
Executive members welcomed the useful and comprehensive information presented in the report. They were pleased to note the undertaking given by the Prime Minister that Councils would be enabled to build their own housing stock and requested that clarification be sought on the Government’s proposals for the relaxation of current restrictions.
Executive recommended that:-
(1) the revised Housing Strategy document 2007 – 2012 be adopted;
(2) an annual report is submitted outlining progress against the Strategy’s action plan; and
(3) the Head of Housing Services be requested to seek clarification from the Government on their proposals for enabling Councils to build their own housing stock.