Agenda item

This report sets out the Councils progress in delivering the corporate objectives from April 2023 to December 2023

Members considered the progress of the Corporate Priority for Communities.

Members made comments, asked questions, and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Booth stated looking at the KPI on page 19 there are some red indicators, with these areas being about claiming housing benefit and precautions taken when claiming to be homeless, and asked what are the plans to get back on track so targets are achieved? Councillor Hoy responded most of this indicates the speed people are moving on which can be quite timely due to the housing stock available, some landlords are selling up for different reasons which can affect housing and homelessness and is something that needs investigating. Councillor Boden added there have been a lot of changes for landlords and landowners especially on the tax side, therefore, a number of landlords country wide have decided to sell which has made the market much greater than the demand for landlords which is why there has been a drop in private landlords. Councillor Booth asked is this trend because the Fenland area is seen as a cheaper area so more people are trying to get rented accommodation by moving into the area, putting more pressure on the housing stock? Councillor Hoy agreed it does not help being in a cheaper area as there are a lot of big houses that are perfect for HMOs, private care homes and asylum seeker accommodation, which is one of the reasons why there has been a conversation about not allowing asylum seekers into cheaper areas because it is adding to the social problems within these areas.

·         Councillor Nawaz stated, to pick up on Councillor Booth’s point, part of the reason for the changes with landlords is overregulation in the housing market by the Government, plus the taxation changes which means it is no longer that attractive for private landlords to invest in these houses, as to where the stock has gone some stock is in limbo and in the process of being sold, some stock has fallen into disuse and disrepair and some stock has been occupied by Eastern Europeans where they will share a house between two or three families and this is the only way some landlords can survive.

·         Councillor Imafidon stated he would like to make the point that high interest rates also affect private landlords giving some examples of mortgage rates and interest rates and Government rates which is making private landlords feel this is not a viable business to be in. Councillor Hoy responded that was a very good point and stated that there has never been any overview work done in this area, everyone plays a part in this system from private sector housing, Clarion Housing, temporary accommodation and bed and breakfast accommodations and if anyone makes a decision in the system it always has a knock on effect further down the line but without everyone there are no houses to help people move into. She added that some of this is at a national policy level which also has an effect on what goes on in local areas. Councillor Boden added he agrees with what has been said and this is quite complex with a lot of moving parts many of which interact with each other, but the basics are there are not enough houses or properties. He continued Governments of all parties have recognised this for decades and have failed to ensure sufficient numbers of properties have been built year on year in order to meet the demand that exists so given that the system squeezes people out of the bottom of the market, those that are dependent upon private rented accommodation or those who find themselves in a situation where they can no longer afford their home can then find their way into statutory homelessness where the Council has a statutory duty to house people, with other rental organisations not having this responsibility.

·         Councillor Roy stated there is a clear need for housing and as people travel round the district there are lots of undeveloped or unfinished land and asked is there a policy that can accelerate some of the issues that have been going on for several years concerning these builds as he feels there needs to be a bit more pressure put on the owners who have left areas undeveloped and where valuable housing could be built, such as Strathmore House in Elm as one example. Councillor Boden replied the Council cannot force people to do anything if they own property or brownfield sites if they do not wish to, however, what can be done is to look at the draft Local Plan so when the Council presents the draft Local Plan to the inspector, advantage can be taken to highlight these area which may not be specifically designated to ensure that they do get development designation and as a Council see if these areas can be influenced in some way. He added that as far as empty residential properties is concerned there is an officer who has been dealing with this over the course of several years and work is always done to ensure that where it is possible those properties are brought back in to use, there is a penal system of additional Council Tax for empty properties which are allowed to remain empty after 6,12 or 24 months and the decision within Fenland is to maximise those multiples so as to maximise the incentive for people to bring properties back in use, but there are exceptions with one of the worst being the number of properties where the owner has died and the executor has not applied for probate which is a big loophole which means the requirement to pay Council Tax on these properties does not exist and there is very little that can be done. Councillor Mrs French added Strathmore House in Elm was a residential home and is a Listed Building, Section 215 and Section 216 Notices have been served and she would chase this up.

·         Councillor Nawaz asked what criteria determines that the Council has a statutory duty to house a particular person or a family? Councillor Hoy responded anyone can apply to be on Home Link, somebody could be in a priority need which looks at things like health issues or overcrowding and various other areas that the team look at and categorise to determine banding but if they are not a priority need there is no statutory duty in place to house them, however, that does not mean that help will not be provided and there is a trailblazer service where people can contact the service and help will be provided to find private rental or help with discretionary housing payments.

·         Councillor Mrs Davis stated that there is an issue with the Peterborough Regional Pool being closed and Chatteris Swimming Pool is now closed so asked if there has been a rise in people joining the other leisure centres in the area? Phil Hughes stated there has been an increase in people coming to the George Campbell in March for swimming lessons and  Freedom Leisure Centre has been taking advantage of those pools being closed as has The Manor at Whittlesey taking in the City of Peterborough Swimming Club with the hope to increase the number of sessions. Councillor Boden added that some of the Peterborough schools have also been using The Manor at Whittlesey for swimming lessons so yes there has been a distinct increase in the Fenland area of the usage of the leisure facilities.

·         Councillor Booth asked does that mean there are more restrictions on when the public can use the facilities if groups are placing bookings and is that impacting Fenland residents being able to go and swim? Phil Hughes responded that he has asked for more information from Freedom Leisure but feels the team have been sensible in terms of allowing public swimming from time to time because what is needed is a balance between swimming lessons, swimming clubs and public swimming.

·         Councillor Mrs Davis asked Councillor Mrs French if all the road works will be finished in March Town Centre ready for the Christmas Market in December? Councillor Mrs French responded her understanding was that the works will be finished by 21 October 2024.

Members noted the progress of the Corporate Priority for Communities.