Issue - meetings

To consider the draft Housing Strategy 2025-2028.

The Committee considered the report which sought approval of the draft Interim Housing Strategy 2025-2028 for consultation.

It was reported that there were some typos in the draft strategy and that these would be corrected before it went out to consultation.

It was asked if the consultation would include a wide range of groups such as Cheshire Women’s Aid and CPRE.  In response it was stated that a wide range of organisations would be consulted which would include internal council services, registered housing providers, health and community partners, local charities and support groups.

It was suggested that the Vulnerable and Older Persons’ Housing Strategy should be included in the list of strategies in the diagram in the introduction to the Housing Strategy.  In response it was stated that the overarching strategies had been listed and that officers would look again at the strategies listed before the consultation went out.

Reference was made to the number of affordable homes in rural areas, and it was asked how many rural properties had been recently built.  It was agreed that a written response would be circulated.

It was asked if the committee members could have sight of the consultation questions before the consultation went live.  Officers agreed to circulate them.

Reference was made to modern day slavery and seasonal workers living in caravans who could be exploited, and it was asked if this was an issue in Cheshire East.  In response it was said that the housing team worked closely with safeguarding colleagues and the community safety team and that there was a protocol in place to what would happen if a case was found, and that help would be provided with rehousing.

It was asked if the Council would consider introducing a register of private landlords under the selective licensing scheme.  In response it was stated that a report had been brought to the Committee back in March 2024 on this and that were waiting for the Government to introduce their scheme and details of it to be made available.

RESOLVED (by majority): That the Committee

1               approve public consultation on the draft Interim Housing Strategy 2025-2028.

2        the final version of the Interim Housing Strategy 2025-2028 would be presented to a future meeting of Economy and Growth Committee to seek approval to adopt.