Meeting documents

HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Minutes of the meeting held on

2 November 1998

PRESENT

Cllr Mrs C C Martens (in the Chair)

Cllr Mrs F G Bettison

Cllr J M Campbell

Cllr P J Cartwright

Cllr I M Coleman

Cllr A D Collingwood

Cllr D A E Cox

Cllr D G Fieldhouse

Cllr A Gielgud

Cllr S H Graham

Cllr D A B Green

Cllr P J Herschel *

Cllr R W Jennings

Cllr P R Pollock

Cllr Mrs J Riddington

(An apology for absence was received from Cllr Mrs J S R Waite)

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 27 July 1998 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

The substantive Minutes discussed at the meeting held on 28 September 1998 were as follows:-

Minute 15 – Corporate Action Plans 1998/99 First Progress Report

The Panel considered the first of two progress reports scheduled to give an overview of the 1998/99 Corporate Action Plans, together with reports on the Economic Development and Tourism work programmes which flowed from the Corporate Action Plans.

Reference was made in particular to long term voids, the success of the Staying Put scheme, possible alternative usage of student accommodation during vacations, houses in multiple occupation and the need to identify a target for the provision of long term affordable housing to meet local needs.

MINUTE 16 – HOUSING SERVICES DIVISION PERFORMANCE DATA

Details of the Business Unit performance data for the Housing Services Division based on a range of performance indicators were submitted.  The action being taken in certain areas was noted by the Panel.

The role of the Panel, rather than the Committee, in monitoring the Corporate Action Plans was raised by some Members of the Committee who were advised that the matter would best be discussed through another forum.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Housing and Economic Development Panel held on 28 September 1998 be received and adopted.

The Committee gave consideration to the draft Economic Development Consultation Document 1999/2000 prior to its period of consultation between 9 November  and 14 December 1998.

Members were advised that a number of the Council’s major partners, including Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, Thames Valley Enterprise and Berks and Bucks Enterprise Agency, as well as local businesses, had been consulted at an early stage of the production of the draft document.  It was reported that the results of consultation would be presented to the next meeting of the Committee on 18 January 1999, when Members would be asked to approve the 1999/2000 Economic Development Programme.

The Committee noted that increasing labour shortages and low average levels of unemployment suggested that the strategic aim of “taking action to lower the unemployment rate across all sectors of the community” should be revised and agreed to recommend this to Policy and Resources Committee.

RESOLVED:  (i)  That the  Economic Development Consultation Document 1999/2000 be approved for consultation purposes; and

(ii) to recommend to Policy and Resources Committee that strategic objective one for employment be reviewed to take account of employment trends and local labour shortages.

Consideration was given to further proposals for the establishment of a Voluntary Housing Advice Centre (VHAC) to be located in High Wycombe Town Centre.  This would give a comprehensive, impartial and independent service to persons requiring advice, assistance or advocacy to address housing issues including homelessness prevention.

Whilst the format, in terms of service providers, was still to be investigated, Members were advised that written service agreements with the service providers would ensure the provision of expert advice on all aspects of housing law and housing related welfare benefits, an accommodation service for “non-priority” homeless men and women, debt counselling in mortgage and rent arrears cases and expert advice on emergency remedies for women fleeing domestic violence.  The VHAC would also be expected to provide advice regarding private sector accommodation.

Members were advised that a survey was currently being carried out, identifying areas of possible overlap within voluntary organisations and also such issues as accommodation problems which could impact on service provision.

Concern was expressed by some Members that the VHAC would duplicate work and perhaps reduce funding available for other organisations offering similar advice such as the CAB.  The Committee was advised that a service enhancement bid of £150,000 had been made for the provision of the VHAC.

RESOLVED:  That (i) this Council explores the possibility of working with Shelter either as a sole provider or with Shelter as part of a consortium, including the Citizens’ Advice Bureau;

(ii) that delegated authority be given to the Director of Property and Housing to examine provisional  service level agreements with the service providers; and

(iii)     a report be made back to the Committee with implementation plan, location, costings etc.

The Committee was asked to consider the proposed revenue service enhancement schemes for the financial years 1999/2000 to 2001/2002 and the proposed capital programme schemes for the financial years 1999/2000 to 2002/2003, and to recommend its preferred schemes to Policy and Resources Committee for funding.

The Committee discussed the proposal for the Private Finance  Initiative during the exempt session, Minute 31, before returning to this item to formalise the decision.

RESOLVED:  To recommend to Policy and Resources Committee that the following schemes be funded.

Recurring Schemes

Non-Recurring Schemes

Capital Programme

The file on action taken under delegated powers since the last meeting was submitted for the Committee’s attention.  (File Sheet Nos. 158-174).

The Committee received Information Sheets distributed since the last meeting (Issue Nos: 14/98, 34/98, 37/98 and 38/98).

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:  That pursuant to Section 100(a)(iv) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Minute Nos. 31 – 32 because of their reference to matters which contain exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 (information relating to any particular applicant) and 9 (Terms Proposed) of Schedule 12A to the aforementioned Act as set out on Page 9 of the Agenda.

The Committee was informed of recent findings regarding Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and its potential to provide affordable housing within Wycombe District.  Members’ support was sought for a request to Policy and Resources Committee for the necessary revenue funding for the scheme.

Members were advised that the DETR and the Treasury would have final approval of the scheme which had to provide value for money.  An element of competition was also required as was an identified area of priority need.  Officers were therefore recommending a proposal requiring the provision of 50 three- bed houses which would be directed at dwellings for which need was most acute.

RESOLVED:  (i)  To recommend to Policy and Resources Committee that:

(a) it makes available additional general fund revenue of up to £41,850 per annum to support a housing PFI project of up to 50 units, such support to commence in the year 2000/2001 for a term of up to 30 years, subject to all necessary procedural requirements, including Treasury approval; and

(b)     a PFI proposal for the provision of 50 dwellings as detailed in the report be prepared for the consideration of the DETR; and

(ii)     that further information be obtained on the external costs of set-up (eg legal) of such a PFI proposal and what proportion of such costs may be directly borne by the Council, compared to such costs being attributed to the scheme.

As the meeting was still in progress at 10.30pm and in accordance with Standing Order 11.5 the vote was taken on whether the meeting should continue.

RESOLVED:  That the meeting continue to the close of business.

The Committee received the file on exempt action taken under delegated powers since the last meeting.  (Sheet Nos  77-90).

(The meeting commenced at 7.30pm and concluded at 10.37pm)

                              __________

                              CHAIRMAN

The following officers were in attendance for this meeting.

Mr H Potts          Director of Property and Housing

Mr D Frost          Team Leader Economic Development Unit

Mr J Piddington     Head of Financial Services

Mr D Turner     Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development

Mr G Wood     Principal Solicitor

Ms S Rogers     Committee Services Manager