/

REPORT OF:

/ Head of Housing Services
AUTHOR: /

John Freeman

TELEPHONE: /

01737 276423

E-MAIL: / TO: /

EXECUTIVE

DATE: /

10 DECEMBER 2003

EXECUTIVE MEMBER: /

COUNCILLOR Dr. L.R. Hack

AGENDA ITEM NO: / 8 /
KEY DECISION REQUIRED:
/ No
WARD(S) AFFECTED: / All
SUBJECT: / PRODUCTION OF A PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING ACTION PLAN
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT: / TO OUTLINE THE PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR STOCK CONDITION SURVEY, OTHER AVAILABLE DATA AND CHANGES BROUGHT ABOUT BY LEGISLATIVE REFORMS AND CONSULT ON A NEW action plan FOR PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING ISSUES IN THE BOROUGH
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1.  Agree the new private sector housing action plan be published for consultation.
Executive has authority to determine the above recommendations.

1. Background

1.1 The Council’s current private sector housing strategy was adopted in December 1996. It is, however, in need of updating and refocusing to take into account:

·  The revised policy on private sector housing repairs assistance, which has been operating since June 2003;

·  The results (and implications) arising from the stock condition survey received in February 2003;

·  The latest housing strategy (agreed by GOSE as fit for purpose in September 2003);

·  The Corporate and Community Plans which have defined our priorities.

1.2 As Members will recall, at the meeting on the 6 March 2003 the revised policy on private housing repairs assistance was reported and this was adopted by the Council and has been operating since the 1 June 2003. The results of the latest stock condition survey were produced in February and were also reported on the 10 June 2003 and the issues raised therein contribute to the need to revise the private sector housing strategy at this time.

2. Factors for Consideration

2. 1 The draft private sector housing strategy is comprehensive in its consideration of all issues relating to the private sector and recognises the resource constraints that exist. Priorities forming part of the consultation and on which the strategy is likely to be based have been taken from surveys undertaken and aims and objectives identified in the Community and Corporate Plans which further link into Service Plans.

2.2 The draft action plan uses the themes that are detailed in the Housing Strategy and links to Community and Corporate Plans by using the following principal areas where action will be concentrated.

·  Advice and information

·  Older people

·  Improving housing condition

·  Helping vulnerable people

2.3 The proposed action plan will bring clarity to what private sector housing issues are within the borough and what actions are available within the resources that are currently available.

2.4 The consultation with users of the service, partner organisations and other interested parties will ensure that any other issues that are raised can be considered before the final action plan is adopted

3. Options

3.1 An option would be to rely solely on the main Housing Strategy to describe this Council’s Private Sector Housing Policies, however this does not take into account the following:

·  The specific problems identified in the private sector from recent surveys and data;

·  The priorities of the Council in dealing with private sector issues

·  The resources that are available to undertake this work; and

·  The actions required to obtain realistic improvements;

·  The routine reactive work undertaken as part of the Council’s statutory duties.

4. Resource Implications

4. 1 All the proposals within the draft action plan can be met within existing staffing levels and allocated budgets.

5. Consultation

5.1 It is proposed this will take the form of a letter to key stakeholders to take part in the consultation with a copy of the draft action plan for comments. Key stakeholders include the following:

·  Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·  Southern Private Landlords Association

·  Anchor Staying Put

·  Age Concern ( Reigate and Banstead)

·  CAB (Redhill, Horley and Banstead)

·  Surrey County Council (Adult and Community Care)

·  Primary Care Trusts (East Surrey and Mid Surrey)

·  Home Improvement Trust (Houseproud)

·  Registered Social Landlords (Preferred partners RB Housing Trust, Hyde Housing, Horizon and Thames Valley RSLs)

5.2 A copy of the draft private sector housing action plan has been placed on deposit in the Members Room and, subject to Executive agreement to publish for consultation, will then be posted on the Council’s website for residents and other interested parties to make comments.

The proposed timetable for the consultation will be:

10 December 2003 – Report to Executive for draft private sector housing action plan to be agreed.

11 December 2003 – Start of 8-week consultation period

18 December 2003 – Report to Overview and Scrutiny Committee as part of the consultation process.

10 February 2004 – end of consultation period.

4 March 2004 – Final report with action plan for adoption by Executive

6. Policy Framework

6.1 As part of the adopted Housing Strategy there is a need for the action plan for private sector housing to be reviewed. Existing plans and policies date back to 1996 and with legislative changes and new data being available, a new action plan needs to be developed to deal with the current issues identified.

7. Conclusions

7.1 The draft private sector action plan has been prepared having regard to National, Regional and Local issues as well as linking to Community, Corporate, Service Plans and the Housing Strategy itself. Now as outlined in the report is an appropriate time to review and up date the action plan. It is recommended, therefore, that consultation be undertaken to produce a new action plan for private sector housing issues.

Background Papers: / ·  Housing Strategy 2003
·  Existing P.S.H. Strategy (1996)
·  Revised Policy on Private Sector Housing Repairs Assistance
·  Stock Condition Survey Report
·  Corporate and Community Plans