Agenda and minutes

(Head of Research and Democratic Services)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Panel noted that there were no substitute members appointed for the meeting.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a personal or a prejudicial interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors Mrs A Grigg and Mrs J H Whitehouse declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (Homelessness Strategy). They declared that their interests were not prejudicial and that they would remain in the meeting for the duration of the consideration and voting on the item.  

Attached.

Noted.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed the Terms of Reference of this Panel and associated Work Programme. This is attached. The Panel are asked at each meeting to review both documents.

Noted.

(Head of Housing Services). The attached report will be considered at the meeting.

Please bring these papers with you to the meeting.

S Devine presented the report and circulated the findings of a MORI survey on empty properties in the Eastern Region. Noted that the Panel  had given  initial consideration to the development of a strategy at its meeting in September 2005. The report had undertaken further work on the preferences identified by that meeting and incorporated the findings of various surveys.

S Devine reported that 2.9% of properties in the District were vacant. The highest percentage of empty properties occurred in North Weald. This was partly due to the relatively high turnover rates for property selling in the area. The reasons behind the statistics for Ongar and the North had not been identified.

The Panel considered each set of options in turn. In relation to informal measures, noted the disadvantages of providing a list of all empty properties on the website. Noted that the facility could be used to raise awareness and ascertain details on empty dwellings. In relation to policy led initiatives, considered  the options in relation to letting agents, empty property grants, the private sector leasing scheme, the LCB Sub Regional Bid, the finders and the deposit grant scheme.

R Pavey advised  that at present  properties left vacant for six months or less received a 100% discount. Properties vacant for more than  6 months received a 50% reduction. The Panel could not alter the discount for the first six month period, but there was scope to make recommendations on the level of discount that should be set for the period thereafter. Noted that increasing the percentage of discount might encourage people to declare properties vacant.

Agreed that the discount  given to properties vacant for more than six months be 50%. Agreed that the discount be removed for properties vacant for more than a year.

Noted that one options was to provide Grant Aid to help cover the costs of bringing unfit dwellings back in use. Conditions could be attached to the financial support, to state amongst other things, that the expenditure be paid back should the agreed conditions be breached. It was suggested that loans could be made available for empty properties.  Noted that the consultants appointed to undertake work on the strategy would explore these options. Noted the enforcement powers that were available and the circumstances in which they could be used. 

Agreed that a decision on whether financial assistance be allocated to bring empty properties back into use be deferred until the findings of the private sector renewal project survey had been identified.

Agreed that in the event that the bid to the ODPM for funding was not successful, the Fresh START scheme be increased.

Agreed that the Finders Scheme be introduced on empty properties as per the  option set out in Annex A of the report.

Agreed that no changes be made to the Rent Deposit Scheme

Agreed in principle that the Empty Property Strategy  should include the use of all statutory powers including Empty Dwelling Management Orders and compulsory purchase.  (EDMOs and compulsory purchase only  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

(Head of Housing Services). To consider the attached report.

M Pierce presented this report. Noted that following the discussions at this meeting,  the  Consultation Draft of the Strategy would be sent out to all organisations with an interest in homelessness to seek their views. Noted that at the end of the consultation exercise, the Homelessness Strategy would be revised to take account of comments received and then submitted to the Housing Portfolio Holder for final approval.

Noted that a report would be submitted to the Cabinet seeking approval for the resource implications of the plan.

Member considered each part of the strategy and endorsed the content.

(Head of Housing Services).  To consider the attached report.

S Lindsey presented a summary report and the strategies for the Housing Service Strategies on House Sales and Leasehold Services, rent administration and collection

The Panel considered and approved the updated strategies.

To consider which reports are ready to be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its next meeting.

There were no reports to be made to the OSC, other than the Chairman of the Panels oral report on the work of the meeting.

To consider the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel.

Noted that the next meeting would take place on 3 March 2006 at 2.00 p.m in Committee Room 1.