Cyflwynwyd gan:Cyng. / Cllr. Craig ab Iago
Decision:
a)
Approve the projects noted in the Housing Action Plan for the period
from now to 2026/27.
b)
Further approve the allocation recommended for the individual projects,
within the financial envelope that has already been approved for this field of
work, and up to the total resources already collected.
c)
In order to allow for flexibility when responding to changes in the
housing market over time, authorise the Head of Housing and Property
Department, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property
Department and the Head of Finance Department, to vary the exact allocation for
individual projects as information about the costs of individual projects, and
the demand for various types of support, become firmer over time.
Minutes:
The report
was submitted by Cllr. Craig ab Iago.
DECISION
a) To approve the projects noted in the Housing
Action Plan for the period from now to 2026/27.
b) To further approve the allocation recommended
for the individual projects, within the financial envelope that had already
been approved for this field of work, and up to the total resources already
collected.
c) In order to allow for flexibility when responding
to changes in the housing market over time, authorise the Head of Housing and
Property Department, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and
Property Department and the Head of Finance Department, to vary the exact
allocation for individual projects as information about the costs of individual
projects, and the demand for various types of support, become firmer over time.
DISCUSSION
The report was submitted noting that
the housing field was now in a state of emergency. The Cabinet Member noted
that, despite pressing the Welsh Government to address the matter, it was a
pleasure to propose the Housing Plan for Gwynedd Council. He explained that the
Action Plan highlighted how the Department would implement the vision. He added
that the document was being presented and would be in
place to inspire people.
The
Head of Housing and Property Department
noted that Councillors and partners within the Housing sector had been involved in discussions
to create the document along the way. He emphasised that it was a composite report, and that a further
report on some more detailed business cases would be submitted in the new year.
It was noted that the department had worked hard to create a document that would
be legible to all. The main fields
within the Plan were outlined, noting that the key objective
of the plan would be for
the Council to build its own houses
to rent at a fair price within the county, and to upgrade empty properties in order to return
them to use.
Observations arising from the discussion
¾ The Housing
Plan was welcomed, and attention was drawn to the quality
of the work, which was clear and highlighted
what the department intended to do. It was emphasised
that research had been undertaken to determine the true need within the county. In terms
of the plan for the future,
an enquiry was made as to how much flexibility there was to adapt the plan as
the years went by. It was noted that the plan set a good foundation, but that the department
would continue to examine and make
changes during the period. It was emphasised that the plan was flexible but that if
a major change was foreseen, that it would be brought back to the Cabinet.
¾ It was noted that there were
challenges to be seen in the housing field, and that
the plan addressed them in various ways.
In terms of grant scheme timetables, it was enquired whether empty housing grants
could be backdated. It was noted that certain
schemes would be implemented sooner than others, and that
the department would look into the idea
of back dating grants should this
be required to address difficulties residents may be facing.
¾ It was expressed
that the plan was ambitious,
and an enquiry
was made as to whether they were confident
of receiving grants. It was
noted that the department had received every grant it had applied for so far, and
that the plan stretched over six years
so that plans
were in place
should any grant opportunities arise.
¾ The members congratulated the department, noting that establishing
the department had shown that the Council was taking the housing field seriously. It was noted that the department had already seen success.
¾ The department was praised for the plan, emphasising that the true achievement would be to realise the plan. It was noted that the foundations were there, praising the department for drawing up equality assessments.
- Attention was drawn to the variety of projects, and that the department had looked for more than one solution to various problems.
Awdur:Dafydd Gibbard
Supporting documents: