Decision details

Housing Strategy 2011-2015 and the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2011 - 2041

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing seeking approval for the Housing Strategy.

The existing Housing Strategy lasts from 2007-2011. The Housing Strategy is a Corporate Policy Framework Document which sets out the Council's priorities to meet local housing needs and aspirations across all tenures in order to meet wider corporate objectives, particularly the economic growth and success of the city. There is strong sub regional context within PUSH. There is now a need to rewrite this strategy to identify priorities for the City Council and its delivery partners over the period 2011 – 2015

Decision:

(i)  To considered the draft Housing Strategy (incorporating the Private Housing Renewal Strategy) and HRA Business Plan

(ii)  Subject to the Council decision delegated authority to the Head of Housing Solutions to approve specific policies for the giving of assistance in accordance with the Private Housing Renewal Strategy, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and the Senior Manager, Finance.

Reasons for the decision:

The Southampton Housing Strategy 2011 – 2015 and Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2011 – 2041 which form part of the Council’s policy framework, are due for renewal.  Following the preparation of a housing issues paper which was considered by Cabinet on 20th December 2010 and OSCM on 20th January 2011 a revised Housing Strategy 2011 – 2015 and a framework for the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2011 – 2041 have now been produced. The Housing Strategy incorporates the Private Housing Renewal Strategy 2011-2015.

Alternative options considered:

Not to produce the documents at all. The documents now require updating in accordance with their original timeframe. The Housing Strategy details the way in which the Council and its partners will provide decent homes which are fit for the needs of Southampton’s exciting future. As the city’s largest landlord the HRA Business Plan Investment in our Homes, Investment in our Neighbourhoods, details plans to improve the quality of life for more than 17,000 households in the city.

Report author: Lucy Buis

Publication date: 04/07/2011

Date of decision: 04/07/2011

Decided at meeting: 04/07/2011 - Cabinet

Effective from: 13/07/2011

Accompanying Documents: