Decision details

The Committee welcomed the Strategic Director for Growth and Environment (Pam Wharfe), the Housing & Environment Lead Commissioner (Declan Hoare) and the Head of Housing Strategy & Performance (Paul Shipway). 

Members expressed concern that the Cabinet Member for Housing was not in attendance for the item.

The Committee were informed that a review of the Barnet Housing Strategy (2010 – 2025) was due in 2014.  Officers had been preparing the evidence base for the refresh to enable the revised strategy to be approved early in the 2014/15 municipal year.  Members were informed that the major changes since the strategy was first adopted in 2010 were:

·         the removal of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) subsidy system and replacement with self-financing (as detailed in paragraph 6.2 of the report);

·         challenges in procuring affordable accommodation following the introduction of the housing benefit cap; and

·         a decrease in private ownership and an increase in the private rented sector which had impacted on the supply of affordable accommodation.

Members reported that they supported the Housing Strategy giving priority to those with a local connection.  Officers highlighted that the current policy gave priority to those that had had a local connection for two years, adding that this could be increased as there was now more local discretion over policy.  It was noted that some legal provisions around homelessness remained.

A Member expressed concern at regarding the Council’s policy that they can discharge their social housing responsibilities in the private rented sector and the impact that this was having on communities. 

The Committee highlighted that the proposed use of HRA headroom had not referred to in the report and questioned what proposal had been developed.  Officers reported that the Council were receiving advice from Savilles on potential options.

RESOLVED that the Committee note the plans for developing a new Barnet Housing Strategy.