Agenda item
Cabinet Member Update
The Cabinet Member(s) will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the update(s) provided.
Minutes:
Councillor Bob Goodman, Cabinet Member for Development addressed the Panel, a summary of his update is set out below.
HMOs
He announced that a Revised Houses in Multiple Occupation SPD Consultation had just begun and would run from 4th September – 13th October 2017. He added that the deadline had been set to capture the responses of local students and he confirmed that the Student Union was engaged in the process.
Article 4 Direction – Offices to Residential Use
He informed the Panel that the Council were considering implementing an Article 4 Direction to address the implications of the removal of permitted development rights on the conversion of offices to residential uses in Bath. He explained that this proposal would be subject to a 12 month consultation period.
Joint Spatial Plan
He stated that the Joint Spatial Plan would be on the agenda for the Council at its meeting on November 9th and would contain details of the proposed housing numbers across the four Local Authorities including affordable housing. He said that he felt that all political groups should be briefed by officers about the Plan prior to the Council meeting.
Foxhill
He informed the Panel that the decision made by the Development Management Committee had not yet been called in by the Secretary of State.
Councillor Colin Blackburn asked regarding the proposed Article 4 Direction if there would be an identified trigger point within the 12 months of consultation whereby it would be implemented sooner.
Councillor Bob Goodman replied that within the next month he hoped to be provided with the likely number of conversions from officers, at which point he would discuss with them the actions required.
Councillor Paul Myers, Cabinet Member for Economic and Community Regeneration addressed the Panel, a summary of his update is set out below.
Homelessness Reduction Act
He informed the Panel that the Act will give new duties to local authorities to prevent homelessness and that it was likely to commence in April 2018. He added that the Act would represent a shift in focus to early intervention, and aim to encourage local housing authorities to act quickly and proactively. He said that guidance from Government was expected in Spring 2018.
He stated the Council’s annual rough sleep estimate would be carried out soon.
Local Shops Action Plan
He explained that the Council has commenced with a project to produce a new Local Shops Action Plan aimed at supporting local traders in shopping districts, town centres and high streets across the area. He said that the Council will seek to produce the new Action Plan in consultation with local business groups, bringing together a range measures aimed at supporting and promoting the area’s shops and traders and boosting footfall on local high streets.
He stated that the new Action Plan aims to cover all the key shopping districts in Bath & North East Somerset, from Bath city centre, to local high streets and town centres across the district.
Housing Infrastructure Fund
He informed the Panel that the Council have made a bid for a share of a £2.3 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund, which the government hopes will unlock 100,000 new homes in areas of high demand.
Broadband
He announced that businesses, schools and hospitals in Bath & North East Somerset are to benefit from major investment in the fastest Broadband yet in the UK. He explained that the authority, jointly with Bristol, is one of six areas chosen to pilot the first stage of a £200 million scheme aimed at supporting new industries, creating jobs and stimulating investment in the local economy. He said it will also allow firms to reach more customers online by delivering superfast speeds of 1 Gigabit, or 1,000 Mb/second.
Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked if any further information could be given on the Homelessness Reduction Act.
The Head of Housing replied that details of the Act were not clear yet as they were awaiting guidance. He said there are some initial concerns that people will move more between Local Authorities. He added that officers were working with neighbouring LA’s in advance of the Act being implemented and said that Homesearch remains in place for people seeking permanent accommodation.
Councillor Barry Macrae asked which Local Authority pays for temporary accommodation. He urged the Cabinet Member to become active in this respect and recognise the needs of our residents.
The Head of Housing replied that the Local Authority that provides the temporary accommodation are the ones that have to pay for it. He added that officers would aim to put Personal Support Plans in place as soon as possible to avoid the use of temporary accommodation. He said that the Council previously through Housing Benefit were able to recover around 98% of the costs, but that through the advent of Universal Credit this figure had reduced to around a third.
Councillor Barry Macrae commented that he welcomed the Local Shops Action Plan as it was an important issue for the whole of B&NES.
The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Members for their updates on behalf of the Panel.