Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for People – Adult Social Care, Health and Housing.

(a)       The Cabinet acknowledges and reinforces the important role of Housing as a key and cross-cutting priority within our Council Plan, understanding the current landscape, challenges, and the importance of maintaining and developing a robust plan to mitigate these pressures.

(b)       That the establishment of the Housing Board be approved, and Cabinet endorse its objectives and composition.

(This initiative will contribute significantly to our efforts in meeting the residential needs across multiple portfolios. This will also involve a Housing Programme Board, with involvement from Senior and Corporate leadership roles to ensure delivery of objectives and effective implementation.)

Reason for the decision

Housing is one of the key priorities in the Dorset Council Plan and a priority for all Dorset Council residents.

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing set out a report that provided information on the current and future housing landscape to support forthcoming discussions and decisions relating to budget setting and the new Housing Strategy in December 2023. The Housing Strategy consultation was in progress.  The Strategy would be considered by People & Health Overview Committee in November, Cabinet in December with a recommendation to Full Council in February 2024.

The Corporate Director for Housing shared a PowerPoint presentation with Cabinet, and this is attached to these minutes at Appendix 3. The presentation aimed to inform members about the drivers of demand, the costs, the availability of stock and the narrative around addressing some of the need for Housing.

The Cabinet Lead for Housing spoke in support of the report and the need to establish a Housing Board. But there also was a requirement to do more to support and engage with private landlords.

The recommendations set out in the report were proposed by Cllr J Somper and seconded by Cllr L Beddow.

Decision

(a)       The Cabinet acknowledges and reinforces the important role of Housing as a key and cross-cutting priority within our Council Plan, understanding the current landscape, challenges, and the importance of maintaining and developing a robust plan to mitigate these pressures.

(b)       That the establishment of the Housing Board be approved, and Cabinet endorse its objectives and composition.

(This initiative would contribute significantly to our efforts in meeting the residential needs across multiple portfolios. This would also involve a Housing Programme Board, with involvement from Senior and Corporate leadership roles to ensure delivery of objectives and effective implementation.)

Reason for the decision

Housing was one of the key priorities in the Dorset Council Plan and a priority for all Dorset Council residents.