Venue: Telscombe Room - Southover House, Lewes. View directions
Contact: Committee Services on 01273 471600
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Chair on election Minutes: Resolved:
That Councillor Davy be elected Chair for the duration of the meeting. |
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To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 October 2018 (attached herewith). Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2018 were submitted and approved, and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record. |
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Apologies for absence/declaration of substitute councillors/declarations of interest Minutes: An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Ruth O’Keeffe MBE. Councillor Murray declared she was acting as substitute for Councillor O’Keeffe for the duration of the meeting. |
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Properties in the development pipeline and sustainability in new homes Verbal update by HEDP Development Project Manager Minutes: The Working Party received a verbal update by the HEDP Development Project Manager in respect of projects in the housing development pipeline across Lewes District.
Discussion included:
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How outside contractors were procured. The
Development Project Manager explained that procurement of many new
capital projects was done through Clear Sustainable Futures. AECOM
and Robertson Capital Projects came together with the Lewes
District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council approximately two
years ago to introduce a partnership in order to deliver
sustainable developments within the District and Borough
respectively. Currently there was a list of approved contractors
ranging from large to small companies.
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The Development Project Manager confirmed that the
Council was attempting to deliver sustainable developments with
tangible targets and features, and that the Council had a checklist
of targets that would measure the achievements of each
scheme.
Resolved:
1.
That the content of the verbal update be
noted;
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Presentation by Head of Homes First Minutes: The Working Party received a presentation by the Head of Homes First (HHF) which gave an overview of Homes First and included challenges the Council faced, some of the Council’s local responses and other areas detailed in the presentation. A hard copy of the presentation was distributed to all those present at the meeting and was published on the website as part of the agenda.
The Working Party requested that a tour was organised of council areas, including tower blocks, for incoming Members of the Housing Working Party. The HHF confirmed that this could be arranged.
The Working Party queried what stock, if any, was held by Brighton Housing Trust. The HHF agreed that he would look into the matter and report back.
The Working Party queried how people could get involved in the local inclusion programme, STEPS. The HFF responded that he would have a programme leaflet scanned and sent to the Working Party following the meeting.
The Working party queried whether it would be possible for the Council to host a forum for landlords due to new legislation and the issues surrounding homelessness. Officers responded that they would look into the issue and report back to the Working Party.
Resolved:
That the contents of the presentation be noted.
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Private Sector Housing team Presentation by Senior Specialist Advisor (Private Housing) Minutes: The Working Party received a presentation by the Senior Specialist Advisor (Private Housing) which provided an update on housing needs and standards across Lewes District.
The Senior Specialist Advisor (Private Housing) highlighted various changes that had occurred in relation to housing needs and standards since the Working Party’s last meeting in October 2018:
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The new Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) Policy had
been submitted to and approved by Cabinet;
Members requested, and Officers agreed, that a copy of the new DFG Policy along with ‘the magic list’ be distributed to the Working Party before its next meeting.
The Senior Specialist Advisor (Private Housing) informed the Working Party that as a result of the new DFG Policy, the Council was able to approve adaptations for an additional 12 families and that the Council had received positive letters of feedback from the families involved.
The Working Party thanked the Senior Specialist Advisor for all of her hard work.
Resolved:
That the contents of the presentation be noted.
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Date of next meeting The next meeting of the Housing Working Party will be called as necessary. Minutes: Resolved:
That the next meeting of the Housing Working Party will be held due course after the May 2019 elections, on a date later to be agreed in consultation with the Chair, the Head of Homes First and the Committee Officer. |