Agenda item

To consider a Motion on notice proposed by Cllr L O’Leary and seconded by Cllr C Tomes.

Cllrs S Flower, L Beddow, E Parker, C Monks and S Christopher left the room at 20:48.

 

Cllr L O’Leary presented the motion on notice which was seconded by Cllr C Tomes.

 

“We call on all registered providers of social housing operating in the Dorset Council area to review their disposal policies, with a renewed focus on regular, long-term maintenance of properties to prevent them deteriorating to a level that leads to disposal.

 

The disposal of social housing in rural and semi-rural areas can be highly damaging to communities and force local people out of their home neighbourhoods.

 

Registered providers, when established, were given a duty to look after these properties on behalf of the people of this county.

 

We ask that they set out long-term plans to maintain their existing housing stock in Dorset's communities, through early intervention and sustained long-term investment”.

 

Cllr G Taylor proposed the following amendment, and this was seconded by Cllr B Wilson.

 

“That:

This Council recognises that Registered Providers may, in some circumstances, need to dispose of housing stock. However, we will continue to rigorously scrutinise all proposed disposals to ensure they are genuinely necessary and in the best interest of Dorset’s communities.

 

Where disposal is unavoidable, we call on Registered Providers to offer first refusal to local residents who intent to live in the property, rather than pursuing routes that may increase the number of second homes or holiday lets.

 

Furthermore, this council requires that any disposed housing stock is replaced with equivalent homes within the same community, ensuring that local housing capacity is maintained”.

 

Members debated the amendment proposed.

 

Cllr G Taylor, Cabinet member for Health and Housing addressed the Council and responded to the comments before it was put to the vote. On being put to the vote the amendment was CARRIED.

 

In accordance with procedure rule 8.1, members of the council voted to continue the meeting beyond 3 hours until the business on the agenda was concluded.

 

The Chair of the Council invited Members to propose any further amendments. Cllr L O’Leary proposed a further amendment requesting that all registered providers review their policy on property disposals. Cllr K Wheller seconded the amendment.

 

The amendment was put to the vote and was CARRIED

 

The substantive motion was put to the vote

 

Decision

That:

 

This Council recognises that Registered Providers may, in some circumstances, need to dispose of housing stock. However, we will continue to rigorously scrutinise all proposed disposals to ensure they are genuinely necessary and in the best interest of Dorset’s communities.

 

Where disposal is unavoidable, we call on Registered Providers to offer first refusal to local residents who intent to live in the property, rather than

pursuing routes that may increase the number of second homes or holiday lets.

 

Furthermore, this council requires that any disposed housing stock is replaced with equivalent homes within the same community, ensuring that local housing capacity is maintained.

 

That we call on all Registered Providers of social housing in the Dorset Council area to review their disposal policies.