Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2017.

The minutes of the previous meeting held 13 June 2017 were agreed as an accurate record.

To receive any reports from Members.

The PAG received a written update from Cllr Matthews on the Buckinghamshire Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee which could be seen attached to the agenda pack. Cllr Matthews advised that a paper was being produced setting out the Committees recommendations following its recent inquiry into Adult Social Care.

To receive an update from the Head of Healthy Communities.

The Head of Healthy communities presented the update report which could be seen attached to the agenda pack. The PAG received and noted the report.

The Housing Manager presented the report which advised Members of the implications of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 in respect of enforcement options against private sector landlords; sought delegated authority for the Head of Healthy Communities to enforce the provisions of the Act and ask that the Scheme of Delegation be amended accordingly; sought Members comments on the draft amended housing enforcement policy and sought delegated authority for the Head of Healthy Communities to agree the final policy with the Portfolio Holder.

The Housing Manager presented the report which was set out to consider how the Council may seek to end the long term use of B and B and private rented nightly let accommodation. The PAG were advised that the impact of homelessness on the Council’s budget was unsustainable and a range of solutions were being explored to increase the overall supply of affordable housing for both emergency and longer term affordable housing. The solutions being explored were outlined in the report attached to the agenda pack.

The Housing Manager advised the PAG that the recent National Audit report recognised the national increase in the number of homelessness coming out of private rented accommodation which then proved a challenge when moving people on from B & B / self-contained accommodation. The Bucks Homechoice waiting period for a two bedroom property was 23 months. The significant welfare reform was also identified as potentially having a negative impact.

The PAG was advised that Project Groups had been established for a number of the schemes and work was ongoing with Planning Policy to ensure affordable housing forms part of Local Plan discussions. During the discussion that ensued members were advised that Government had provided a clear steer to accommodate people as close as possible to their links so any move out of area would likely be to adjoining authorities.

A Member questioned the use of Wyeth Laboratories in Taplow which was a business premises but was now residential but was though to fall between authority boundaries (Slough and South Bucks). The Housing Manager advised that he would look into this and report back to the PAG.

There was no other business at this point.

"That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 following item of business is not for publication to the press or public on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act."

(para 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

"That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 following item of business is not for publication to the press or public on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act."

The PAG received a report which provided an update on the delivery of the community grants in partnership with Heart of Bucks.

Having considered the advice of the PAG, the Portfolio Holder APPROVED that Heart of Bucks continues to deliver the grants programme until 2019/20 with match funding.

The PAG received a report which provided an update on the delivery of the community grants in partnership with Heart of Bucks. The Portfolio Holder advised the PAG that there were funds unused from this financial year. The PAG were in agreement that if worthy causes were to come forward the remaining funds would be used.

The Portfolio Holder advised that the main reason for application refusals was the application form having not been completed correctly. There will be advice provided on form completion moving forward.

The PAG received a report inviting comments on a number of recommendations that were to be made to Cabinet in respect of an interim development opportunity for temporary housing for use as emergency accommodation at the Bath Road Depot. Detailed information was available to the PAG in the report provided.

It was explained that the temporary units would be built off site and be delivered to site fully fitted ready for occupation and had a lifespan of 60 years. During discussion, it was explained to members that the plans were for 12 units based on pre-application advice due to the land being in the Green Belt and therefore subject to certain policy restrictions. It was to be assessed whether each unit required two parking spaces due to the proximity to the closely linked retail park and good transport links. The planning permission would be temporary for 5 years due to the site being of employment use.

The £2.7m figure was an estimated cost used for the purpose of the report. It was clarified that costs could not be confirmed at this stage. Members queried the management fee, subject to negotiation of 50% rental contribution and the PAG was advised that it would be the housing association who would manage the risks of tenants’ not paying, damage to the property and dealing with daily issues that arise. The PAG asked that this level of management fee be looked at carefully before committing.

Note: Cllr Matthews left the meeting at 6.45 p.m.

The PAG received a report which was provided to ensure that Members were aware of the ongoing issues on the former Bucks County Council owned Gypsy and Traveller sites and the actions being taken in response to these issues. Following the sites transfer to private ownership, SBDC had to refer the housing benefit claims to the Valuation Office Agency Rent Officer for a determination. As a result of this many residents had a significant shortfall between their Housing Benefit award and the cost of their pitch fees.

The Council had utilised Discretionary Housing Payments for some residents to make up the shortfall between the Housing Benefit award and the rent/pitch fee. A proportion of these payments was being met from the DCLG’s Flexible Homelessness Support Grant.

The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), supported by the Council commenced a project at the beginning of August 2017 to provide one-to-one support to residents to find a long term solution. An internal steering group had been set up and the PAG would be kept informed of happenings.