THREE RIVERS DISTRICT COUNCIL
At a meeting of the Sustainable Environment Policy and Scrutiny Committee held in the Colne Room, Watersmeet, Rickmansworth on Tuesday 15January 2013from 7.30pm to8.50pm.
Present: -Councillors Alison Scarth (Chairman), Peter Wakeling (Vice-Chairman),Paula Hiscocks, Barbara Lamb MBE, David Major, Marie-Louise Nolan, Brian Norman and Sue Stibbs.
Apology for Absence: Councillor Ana Bakshi.
Officers: -Renato Messere, Head of Economic and Sustainable Development
Ewan McEwan, Housing Partnership Manager
Struan Power, Planning Officer
Sarah Haythorpe, Principal Committee Manager.
In Attendance:CouncillorsAnn ShawOBEand Martin Trevett.
SE35/12MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Sustainable Environment Policy and Scrutiny Committee held on 6November 2012 were confirmed as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.
SE36/12NOTICE OF OTHER BUSINESS
None.
SE37/12DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
SE38/12BATCHWORTH HEATH CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL
STOCKER’S LOCK AND FARM CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL
Members considered the adoption of the Batchworth Heath Conservation Area Appraisal and the adoption of the Stocker’s Lock and Farm Conservation Area Appraisal (CAA) which would both be used as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
The Planning Officer advised with regard to Batchworth Heath, the responses received had provided historical details which had been included in the appraisal. On Stockers Lock, the information received had been useful and incorporated into the appraisal.
Members were pleased that the Countryside Management Service would seek to reduce the tree cover on the Heath but there were no plans within the action plan (2008-2013) to remove any trees currently on the Heath.
In response to a question on how Stockers Lock would be monitored and policed in the future, the Planning Officer advised that concerns regarding alleged unauthorised narrow boats and untidy land could be raised to the Projects and Compliance Team in Development Management.
ACTIONS AGREED:-
that the Sustainable Environment Policy and Scrutiny Committee recommend to the Executive Committee that:
(1)The Batchworth Heath Conservation Area Appraisal be adopted and used as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications; and
(2)The Stocker’s Lock and Farm Conservation Area Appraisal be adopted and used as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
SE39/12LOUDWATER ESTATE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL
Members were asked to approve for consultation the draft Loudwater Estate Conservation Area Appraisal (CAA).
The Planning Officer advised that the estate development had taken place following the sale of Loudwater House with show homes being built to illustrate what could be built in the area. Many of the houses on the estate retainedtheir original features and were subject to Article 4 controls. Some negative impacts on the estate included the introduction of high metal gates.
The reaction of the residents had been positive. The Council had met with the Director of the Loudwater Estate who was supportive of the proposals. A letter had been sent to all residents advising them in advance of Council’s intentions.
In response to a question on development enquiries to the Council on the estate, the Planning Officer advised that a limited number of enquiries had been received regarding the sub-division of plots or the demolition of houses for redevelopment. The Loudwater Estate was consulted on planning applications received and they were responsible for the management of the estate roads and grass verges.
A Member was concerned about the future environmental control of the estate if the Loudwater Estate Management was to discontinue. The Planning Officer advised that Tree Preservation Order (TPOs) were in place to protect the trees on the estate and the CAA would provide additional protection of the area. A review would be carried out in 6/7 years. The Council had no control over the Loudwater Estate Management.
ACTION AGREED:-
that the Sustainable Environment Policy and Scrutiny Committee recommend to the Executive Committee that the Draft Loudwater Estate Conservation Appraisal be approved for consultation.
SE40/12DRAFT HOUSING STRATEGY 2012 – 2015
The Housing Strategy set out the housing issues within the District and the Council’s plans to tackle them.
It was an overarching strategy which should be considered within the context of related documents which addressed more specific housing matters, particularly the Local Plan (and Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document) the Local Investment Plan, the Homelessness Strategy and the Tenancy Strategy.
Even though the Council had disposed of its housing stock in 2008, it retained a strategic role across all tenures. Some of the key responsibilities involved assessing and planning for current and future housing needs, facilitating new supply and developing effective partnerships which ensured that best use was made of the existing housing stock.
This strategy illustrated a change in the housing landscape following the passing of the Localism Act 2011 and the implications on social housing, affordable rents and flexible tenancies. The Welfare Reform Act would also have a significant impact from April and the Council were working with key partners, including the CAB, ASCEND and Thrive Homes, on its likely impact.
Page 94 of the Committee papers provided a brief summary of the strategy and gave details of the three key headlines which included the risks, challenges and opportunities facing the Council. The appendices to the strategy provided a summary of the legislation changes. Formal consultation would take place once the draft strategy had been approved.
Members raised the following points:
A Member was concerned with the use of the word “disposed” in Paragraph 1.3 of the report.
Was there any information in the strategy regarding the implications of a housing crisis?
The Government reported that there was a national need for 3 bedroom houses. Should the Council’s strategic objective be to negotiate with builders to insist on 3 bedroom houses?
There was very limited affordable land in the District to build new affordable homes.
Was the Council going to be meeting with other partner organisations regarding the changes to housing benefits?
Where does the strategy raise common sense allocation?
The following Officer responses were provided:
The text used in Paragraph 1.3 of the report was not part of the strategy.
The Council had to prioritise the problems facing them and work within the resources available. 3 key priorities had been identified for the Committee to agree. The document was a strategic document from which an action plan would be produced which Officers would then take forward.
The Council can inform the developer of their preferred mix of housing. In Three Rivers the greatest need was for 2 bedroom dwellings, then 3 bedroom and 1 bedroom. The Welfare Reform Act couldhave implications on families who are under occupying their dwelling.
Although there were Green Belt constraints in the District and land was expensive there was still an opportunity to create new development on land in the Council ownership, to make better use of the existing housing stock and to get more private rental homes for affordable housing.
The Council would always look to obtain 45% affordable housing from a development but would need to obtain from the developer a viability statement as part of the scheme and analyse what the developer could provide as affordable housing.
There were 103 empty private sector properties in the District.
The Council would be writing to private landlords to emphasise the private rented scheme available which could provide a guaranteed income every month andgrant assistance to carry out repairs, subject to eligibility and budget.
Officers would be meeting with the Herts Choice Homes Partnership to discuss the implications of the Welfare Reform Act.
There was a likelihood that tenants may be unable to afford their social rent housing due to the reductions in housing benefit and families who are underoccupying their property could see a reduction in housing benefit.
If an RSL evicteda tenant who had not kept up with the rent payments it would be unlikely that the RSL would re-house them if they had been able to afford the rent.
The Council would have a duty to ensure that accommodation remains available to anyone who becomes homeless through no fault of their own, falls within a Priority Need category and has a local connection with the District.
It was noted that the housing benefits were currently paid to the landlord but this would be changing in April and the housing benefit would go to the claimant.
ACTION AGREED:-
(1)that the Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that the draft Housing Strategy (Appendix A) be approved for formal consultation.
(2)that the Committee receives regular reports on the situation regarding the Welfare Reforms and how this affects housing in Three Rivers.
SE41/12THREE RIVERS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Following consideration of the draft Economic and Sustainable Development Service Plan and the associated growth bid for an economic development strategy at the Committee meeting on 6 November 2012, this report set out revised details for the strategy and growth bid. It was recommended that thisbe taken forward as part of the Council’s service planning and budget setting process.
A Member raised concern that spending £5,000 on networking/events was a high proportion of the budget to spend, and that the HighStreet Innovation Fund should be spent on improving the High Street by making it more vibrant. The Head of Economic and Sustainable Development advised that the breakdown of the proposed budget was indicative at this stage and that the £5,000 allocatedto networking/events could be reduced particularly if sponsorship from local businesses could be secured. The original aim of the High Street Innovation Fund was to support the High Street but given that resourcesare scarce it is proposed that this funding is made available for economic development generally. This will help stimulate economic activity across all sectors and areas of the District. The Council will continue to use a separate capital budget of £30,000each year to revitalise and enhance retail areas in the District.
In response to a question on work experience for school children, the Head of Economic and Sustainable Development advised that the Council had been part of the Herts Schools Programme to provide work experience to local students. The work experience had given them an all round understanding of the work carried out by the Council with a check list provided to ensure details were covered.
A Member advised that it was important that apprenticeships were provided for young people aged 16-21 as it must be a priority to motivate young people.
The Head of Economic and Sustainable Development advised that the Council could provide details on the number of apprenticeships in Three Rivers over the last few years and future projections and circulate these details to the Committee.
Officerscould focus on working with the private sector to employ apprentices by providing a grant. A Member advised that young people often wanted to earn a full wage immediately.
A Member advised that a young person undertook work experience at the Council and learnt how to talk to adults sensibly, how to ask questions and how to deal with questions effectively.
A number of opportunities could be available in the future including a housing association project of employing apprentices on the housing maintenance and the major project in South Oxhey which would aim to employ local people
ACTIONS AGREED:-
that the Sustainable Environment Policy and Scrutiny Committee recommends the Executive Committee:
(1)to approve the draft Three Rivers Economic Development Strategy set out in Appendix 1;and
(2)to recommend to Council the Growth Bid set out in Appendix 2 as part of the Council’s service planning and budget setting process.
SE42/12SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT POLICY AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME
To review and make necessary changes to the Policy and Scrutiny Committee’s work programme. Members agreed to add the following item to the work programme.
that the Committee receives regular reports on the situation regarding the Welfare Reforms and how this affects housing in Three Rivers.
ACTION AGREED:-
that the Committee notes the items included in the work programme, subject to any amendments agreed at the meeting.
CHAIRMAN
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