Agenda item

The following Motion was submitted by Councillor Nick Colbert:-

Local Homes for Local People

Proposal - That Council agreed to adopt as soon as practically possible a system of scoring that reflects locality, family, school and work commitments to enhance the quality of life of South Somerset residents by keeping their family and friends network together, reducing the burden on social services and reducing carbon emissions by removing the need for unnecessary travel to and from visiting family, friends and work.  If this cannot be achieved through the Somerset Homefinder system then South Somerset should adopt its own system for the benefit of our residents or adopt the “doughnut” system of allocation via s106 agreements as used in Barton St David or a proportion, say 50% of affordable housing in market towns should be held aside for local families using the doughnut principle.

Councillor Nick Colbert advised that his motion was a moral point which had occurred on four occasions within his Ward. He mentioned the stress which it caused to families and the burden it placed upon Social Services.  Although plenty of affordable homes had been built in Wincanton, fewer than 10% had been made available to local families.  He asked that the current policy be reassessed and adapted to make recognition of local connections to keep families together and he said he would welcome an all-party committee to push the proposal forward.

Councillor Sylvia Seal introduced Kirsty Larkins, Housing and Welfare Manager, who had been invited to explain the effect of the proposed Motion on the current Homefinder policy. 

The Housing and Welfare Manager outlined the current Homefinder Policy and the banding system of priority for housing and the allocations which had occurred within Wincanton.  She said that all the partners in the Homefinder Somerset scheme would have to agree to the change in policy, or otherwise, SSDC would need a separate policy and then housing applicants would need to register with each of the 2 schemes.  This could also lead to nomination issues with the Councils registered housing providers.  She noted that there could be some improvement in the marketing of vacant properties to local residents. 

During discussion varying views were expressed.  Some Members felt that the Motion should be supported and the policy should be amended to allow families to remain locally for support by extended family members, whilst other Members cautioned the unintended consequences of agreeing to the Motion as it was proposed.  Several Members suggested that the Homefinder Policy be reviewed by a Scrutiny Task and Finish group as they had assisted in formulating the original policy and this could be more acceptable to the other Somerset Council partners in the Homefinder scheme. 

At the conclusion of the debate, Councillor Colbert said the current scheme was not working for local people and the necessary negotiations should be made with Homefinder Somerset.  He asked that his Motion be proposed as it was.

The Motion was then put to the vote and was declared lost by 21 votes in favour, 26 against and 2 abstentions. 

(Voting: 21 in favour of the original Motion, 26 against, 2 abstentions)