Issue - meetings

The attached Housing Plan for 2025-2030 outlines the Council’s commitment to providing affordable, safe, suitable and high-quality homes for residents.  The Cabinet is asked to approve the attached documents for publication and implementation.

Cllr Matt McCabe, Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, introduced the report, moved the recommendation and made the following points:

·  It is acknowledged that there is a housing and affordability crisis.

·  The housing waiting list is currently over 5,500 with only 500 properties available annually.

·  There is a long wait time for larger homes due to loss of stock through the Right to Buy scheme.

·  There is reliance on market sales to subsidise affordable and social housing.

·  It is increasingly important to utilise Council assets to enable affordable housing development.

·  We can then deliver more affordable and social rental units through Aequus and B&NES Homes.

·  It is important to spread tenures widely to address various needs (e.g. Temporary, Supported, Social Units).

·  This will enable us to support vulnerable individuals and families, enhance lives and allow people to maintain community ties.

·  Aequus products will be required to meet EPC A standards for new builds and retrofits.

·  This will contribute to our Net Zero goals and will reduce heating bills for tenants.

·  The appendices give a complete picture of the plan’s impact on vulnerable people.

Cllr Alison Born seconded the motion emphasising the critical need for warm, secure, and affordable housing.  She highlighted the inadequacy of current provision in B&NES, particularly for low-cost, energy-efficient, family-sized, and specialised housing. She supported the housing plan's clear strategies to improve availability and address market failures. This plan has the potential to transform lives.

Cllr Paul May also welcomed the Housing Plan and was pleased to note that care leavers would be a priority.  He also noted that that plan is linked in with other corporate strategies.

RESOLVED unanimously:

To approve the following documents, attached as appendices to the report, for publication and implementation, subject to minor textual updates including confirmation of the final governance structure:

(1) Bath & North East Somerset Housing Plan 2025-2030;

(2) Domestic Abuse Accommodation Strategy 2024-29;

(3) Housing Services Charging Policy 2025.