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Membership:
Chair - Councillor Cheyne
Councillors Ashton, Crowther, Donaldson, Mrs Heasman, Sadler and Vickers
Terms of Reference:
1. To identify the extent of the shortage of homes in relation to demand, and the need for affordable housing
2. To explore the issues affecting the provision of housing, such as relative land values, development plan provision, access to the private rented sector, provision of grants, ways to bring empty homes back into use and formulas for developer payments
3. To identify the options which could extend the provision of affordable housing, such as shared ownership, fixed equity, self-building, starter home funding, subsidised housing
Meeting 1 - 25th March 2004
At this introductory session Members discussed the terms of reference, areas for consideration and external groups that could be asked to give evidence as part of the review.
Meeting 2 - 27th April 2004
Members heard evidence from the Government Office of the South East on the planning context governing affordable housing and the government's present thinking and direction in this area. The Head of Town Planning informed Members of the current Local Plan policy for affordable housing.
Meeting 3 - 17th June 2004
Evidence was taken from the Housing Corporation on the finance issues affecting affordable housing
Meeting 4 - 15th July 2004
Members received a presentation on the Key Worker Living initiative from Thames Valley Housing. Representatives of Apex informed Members of their strategy for 'pepper potting' in developments to achieve more balanced communities.
Meeting 5 - 9th September 2004
Members discussed the review's progress to date and areas for further consideration.
Meeting 6 - 10th November 2004
The Head of Town Planning informed Members of the Private Investment in Affordable Housing report for Surrey local authorities and the implications for private sector investment in affordable housing now that grant funding has reduced. Members also took evidence from housing officers on the role of private sector housing in solving some of Elmbridge's housing issues
Meeting 7 - 15th December 2004
Members took evidence from local letting agents and landlords on the role of private sector housing in providing affordable housing. Assetrust Housing Ltd, a commercial company who provide affordable housing to local authorities, attended the meeting to discuss their work with the review group
Meeting 8 - 18th January 2005
Members discussed the draft version of the Review Group's report and the recommendations that they wish to present to the Community Affairs Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Meeting 9 - 9th February 2005
Further evidence was taken from Elmbridge Housing Trust on its role in providing affordable housing. Members also discussed the latest draft version of the Review Group's report.
Meeting 10 - 8th March 2005
Members held a final discussion of the Review Group's report and recommendations.
The Affordable Housing Review Report was presented to the Community Affairs Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 30th August 2005 and recommended to Cabinet for consideration on 14th September 2005, when all the recommendations were agreed and adopted.
Following this review, a permanent Affordable Housing Member Working Group was established to take an ongoing overview of issues relating to affordable housing in the borough. This Group regularly reports to the Community Affairs Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
For further information please contact the |Overview and Scrutiny Manager.