Agenda item

The Cabinet Member(s) will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the update(s) provided.

The Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning Councillor Liz Richardson made reference to a paper on ‘Housing Services Update’ – this paper is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning Councillor Liz Richardson updated the Panel on the following current issues with in her portfolio:

·  Placemaking Plan – the process on this has started and information can be found on the Council website;

·  Housing Services – the Cabinet Member made reference to the written report on ‘Housing Services Update’ (this is attached to the agenda papers for this meeting);

·  Government and Homes Planning Bill.

·  The Cabinet Member reported that there is a plan for a  locked down partial review of the Core Strategy (in the Council papers ). She informed members that this will be the main subject of the LDF meeting this week on which all groups are represented.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Ball stated that there are questions over Bristol being able to fulfil its housing requirement. He asked if the review of the Core Strategy referred to the whole area or part of the area. The Cabinet Member reported that sites will not be reopened. She reported that the duty to co-operate will be opened up so it will work both ways between Bath and Bristol. She explained SHMA – Strategic Housing Market Assessment. It was agreed that Councillor Ball will take any questions raised by the Panel to the LDF meeting.

Councillor Macrae welcomed the update and thanked the Cabinet Member.

Panel members asked questions of Graham Sabourn – Head of Housing, he explained that the key message is that there has been an increase in people with housing problems which includes people presenting as homeless with a home or without.

Councillor O’Brien asked how many social tenants have moved in from outside the area. The officer explained that he did not have the exact figures and will report back. He explained the introduction of ‘local connection criteria’ – one of the criteria is having employment in the area

Councillor O’Brien asked how many people are successful on the homesearch register. The officer explained that this information is published on the website, he explained that the broad figure is that there are 6 thousand households on the register and 550 properties coming on each year.

Councillor Appleyard congratulated the team on enforcement action and asked if the Council get any money from the fines. The officer explained that if the new Bill goes through, the amount possible to fine a landlord will go up.

Councillor Appleyard noted that now the Gypsy and Travellers site has been handed over to the management company, it can be taken off the Panel workplan, other than referring to future demand.

Councillor Appleyard referred to the Q4 performance statistics and asked if the KPIs can be reviewed in order that the Panel can see opportunities to help with policy development. The officer stated that he would welcome the Panel’s input into reviewing the indicators.

There was some discussion around the bidding system. Councillor Macrae stated that the maximum number of bids should be three as if people are in urgent need, they will take the house. The officer explained that there is a small number of people who will bid on everything which crowds others out so there is a disproportionate amount of time spent on a few people. The officer reassured the Panel that there is a priority list and if people are on the A list then they are required to take a property after 3-4 months.

The Panel noted the update and thanked the officer.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development: Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones addressed the Panel, he stated that the Panel should scrutinize his decisions and he could also challenge them so there should be a healthy dialogue. He asked that the Panel look at the ‘Getting Around Bath’ Strategy which will help with economic development. The Cabinet Member updated the Panel on current issues with in his portfolio:

·  Archway Centre;

·  Midsomer Norton Town Council have procured a project manager to help with economic development – the starting point will be a cluster of businesses on the high street;

·  Broadband – a lot of queries and complaints on this, phase two should see improvements;

·  Bath Quays South – restructuring of the development programme;

·  Railway Arches – this is vacant and there is a proposal for this to be used for art space/studios;

·  Mineral Hospital – it is important that the Council moves quickly on this.

·  Victoria Art Gallery – the Grayson Perry exhibition attracted a high amount of visitors;

·  He reported that there are 22 major development sites in Bath.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Ball asked about retail policy and how footfall will be retained in the city. The Cabinet member stated that he would report back on retail policy.

Councillor Macrae asked about economic development and where it will be in 5 years time. The Cabinet Member explained that there is a lot of continuity in major projects.Councillor Appleyard noted that the Cabinet Member is carrying on a work stream.

Councillor Appleyard explained that the Panel had an item on Broadband at their last meeting and that the Panel had been constrained in the debate. He explained that scrutiny is a two way thing and that the Panel would like to know things that the Cabinet Member is becoming aware of. He stated that he did not want an adversarial situation between the Panel and the Cabinet Member.