To consider adoption of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Private Sector Housing Strategy and to commit to supporting the delivery of the vision, priorities and commitments set out within it.

That the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Private Sector Housing Strategy be adopted and commitment be given to supporting the delivery of the vision, priorities and commitments set out within it.

A report was presented on the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Private Sector Housing Strategy that set the context as to how the Council intended to meet the private sector housing challenges and opportunities confronting the service and to set out the key priorities for action and delivery.

During his introduction of the report, the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing explained that the strategy set out the strategic direction for Private Sector Housing within the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership sub region. The Partnership’s priorities would focus on:

·       Raising standards in the private sector, paying particular attention to ensuring fire safety in Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) and removing or reducing serious hazards across both single and multiple households.

·       Working with private landlords to encourage and support them to improve standards and increase the supply of affordable accommodation.

·       Taking robust action against landlords who fail to remedy hazards, licence HMOs or comply with property management regulations.

·       Maximise existing housing stock by focused interventions to return empty homes to use with the development of an Empty Homes Policy.

The full background and details were included at Sections 1 and 2 of the report, pages 32 to 33 of the Agenda refer.

The Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing highlighted that this was an important document and another example of the Partnership’s shared approach and vision.  He further asked that his thanks went to the Safer Communities Service Manager and his team for the work undertaken.

The Assistant Director - Wellbeing and Community Leadership advised Members that this was the first Partnership Private Housing Strategy and was delighted to bring this forward.  Members were advised that the Council had mixed stock across East Lindsey with some of it below standard in places and it was important to provide support and assistance where needed.  There was also an issue with empty homes in East Lindsey with numbers higher than average and as identified, there would be subsequent policies to follow as part of the strategy to enable the Council to undertake its duties around empty homes and also Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing.

The Portfolio Holder for Market Towns and Rural Economy considered the report covered all matters succinctly and highlighted the relevant actions and how these would be delivered and was happy to support this.

The Portfolio Holder for Partnerships stated that it was good to see a clear and concise document.  It was considered that the strategy hinged on Commitment 1 ‘We proactively and effectively tackle poor conditions across the private housing sector’ and highlighted that Members should be aware of issues across their communities.  It was stressed that strong enforcement and collaborative working was key to this and it was important that all Members got behind this and supported the strategy.  The ramifications from poor living standards was massive and went way beyond issues like damp and mould, but created ill health conditions and mental health issues.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction agreed that Commitment 1 was very important and that every person was entitled to a basic standard of housing.  It was however, highlighted that it was very difficult to make private landlords or social housing landlords to bring properties up to standard and was fully supportive of the strategy, emphasising that action needed to be taken to ensure that houses were habitable.

The Portfolio Holder for Coastal Economy commented that the paper was simple and easy to read and highlighted that far more work needed undertaking with landlords, particularly those who rented out a single property.  It was highlighted that these were often accidental landlords with little resources who could benefit from education on how to claim funding.  Once they had left the sector, this unfortunately left one less property available to rent.

RESOLVED

That the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Private Sector Housing Strategy be adopted and commitment be given to supporting the delivery of the vision, priorities and commitments set out within it.

Reason:

The Strategy is an overarching document which gives a framework and objectives to use to further develop consistent approach to private sector housing across the Partnership.

It demonstrates a clear commitment to shared objectives to improving housing standards for our residents.

Other Option:

To continue with individual strategies for each Council.

N.B.  Emily Spicer, Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership left the Meeting at 6.28pm.