Agenda and minutes

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda.

No interests were declared.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the meeting. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

There were no members of the public present.

To seek permission to proceed with the formal consultation on the draft housing strategy.

The Cabinet Member considered a report seeking permission to proceed with the formal consultation on the draft housing strategy.

Following the commissioning of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and the Private Stock House Condition Survey, a decision had been taken to produce a local housing strategy which would complement the sub-regional housing strategy. The strategy focussed on the unique opportunities and challenges within Cheshire East and had been developed at a time of significant change within the housing sector.

The local housing strategy outlined the housing vision and priorities which were:

?       Delivering market and affordable housing;

?       Making the best use of our existing stock;

?       Meeting the needs of our most vulnerable residents;

?       Meeting the needs of an ageing population; and

?       Investing in our neighbourhoods. 

The local housing strategy had taken account of Government policy, as well as sub-regional and local strategic approaches.  The strategy linked into the statutory Homelessness Strategy and the emerging Ageing Well Plan.  It took account of the developing Local Development Framework and the draft Economic Development Strategy. 

Resident and stakeholder engagement had been a priority when developing the strategy to ensure that the Council addressed the issues that were important to local communities. Consultation feedback had played a fundamental part in formulating priorities.

The Cabinet Member emphasised that the strategy would enable the Council to identify suitable sites for future housing provision where there was specific need, bring empty properties back into use and, at a time of financial constraint on local authorities, use its own assets to deliver affordable housing.

The draft strategy was now ready to progress to the 12 week consultation stage immediately following the local elections. Following any necessary amendments to the strategy arising from the consultation, the strategy would be submitted to Cabinet for approval.

RESOLVED

That permission be granted to proceed with the 12 week formal consultation on the draft housing strategy commencing 6^th May 2011.