Adoption of the Private Sector Housing Strategy 2015-19

Executive Portfolio Holder:	Cllr Ric Pallister, Leader (Strategy & Policy)
Strategic Director:	Vega Sturgess, Strategic Director (Operations and Customer Focus)
Assistant Director:	Laurence Willis, Assistant Director (Environment)
Lead Officer:	Alasdair Bell, Environmental Health Manager
Contact Details:	Alasdair.bell@southsomerset.gov.uk or 01935 462056

Purpose of the Report

For Members to consider and adopt the Private Sector Housing Strategy 2015-19 in Appendix 1 of this report. The last Private Sector Housing Strategy of the Council was adopted in 2012. In November 2014 the Council adopted a Housing Strategy Implementation Plan and one of the agreed actions in that plan was to produce a new updated Private Sector Housing Strategy. The Private Sector Housing Strategy in Appendix 1 is that new strategy.

Forward Plan

This report appeared on the District Executive Forward Plan/ with an anticipated committee date of November 2015.

Public Interest

With increased housing pressures the Government sees working with the private sector as being increasingly important in order for local authorities to meet their statutory responsibilities to deal with empty properties, disrepair, homelessness, overcrowding and other related housing matters. The Private Sector Housing Strategy sets out the council’s future direction in this area.

Recommendation

That the Private Sector Housing Strategy 2015-19 in Appendix 1 concerning private sector housing matters be adopted as future strategy of the Council.

Background

In 2013 SSDC adopted the county-wide Housing Strategy Framework, which sets out the direction for all five local housing authorities in Somerset to do with all aspects of housing including social housing, new build and homelessness. This Housing Strategy framework included an Implementation Plan that was updated in November 2014. As part of that updated Housing strategy and Implementation plan, the continuing importance of the private housing sector was recognised as was the need to have a more detailed document specifically covering this area of work.

The purpose of the new Private Sector Housing Strategy in Appendix 1 therefore is to act as an addendum to that Implementation Plan and provide more detailed information about the work we do that affects private housing sector and what we hope to achieve. It takes account of numerous legislative and other changes since the publication of the last Private Sector Housing strategy in 2012 and seeks to address present and emerging local needs and priorities.

Report

See the Private Sector Housing Strategy 2015-19 in Appendix 1

Financial Implications

All capital spending associated with this strategy are subject to the usual capital/revenue bidding process. No new money is being requested this time.

Risk Matrix

Risk Profile before officer recommendations

Impact	R,CP
F CP,R

Likelihood

Risk Profile after officer recommendations

Impact	R,
CpP CP,F,CY

Likelihood

Key

Categories	Colours (for further detail please refer to Risk management strategy)
R = Reputation CpP = Corporate Plan Priorities CP = Community Priorities CY = Capacity F = Financial	Red = High impact and high probability Orange = Major impact and major probability Yellow = Moderate impact and moderate probability Green = Minor impact and minor probability Blue = Insignificant impact and insignificant probability

Council Plan Implications

This revised policy falls clearly within the Corporate Plan priority on Homes;

Homes - We want decent housing for our residents that matches their income.

Carbon Emissions and Climate Change Implications

The adoption of this policy will have implications for the climate change agenda. We will ensure that all building works associated with this strategy will meet the latest Building Regulation requirements to reduce carbon emissions.

Equality and Diversity Implications

In drawing up this strategy document consideration has been given to all of the Protected Characteristics. Consideration has particularly been given to the impact on migrants to the district.

Privacy Impact Assessment

There is no adverse impact on personal data maters associated with this report.

Background Papers

Private Sector Housing Strategy 2010-12

Empty Homes Strategy(SSDC 2012)

Housing Strategy Implementation Plan (November 2014)

APPENDIX 1- Private Sector Housing Strategy