None.

Apologies were received from Councillor David Dean, Councillor Abigail Jones, Councillor Imran Uddin and Councillor Nick Draper.

Panel agreed the Minutes as a true record of the meeting.

None.

The Panel received a presentation from Simon Williams on the work of his department, Community and Housing, in relation to the remit of this Panel. The presentation covered the following service areas (including purpose, customers and Key Performance Indicators):

·                     Housing Needs and Strategy; 

·                     Library and Heritage Service; and

·                     Merton Adult Education

Simon Williams explained that Merton was no longer a stock owning authority. Merton residents often have to go to the private rented sector as they do not meet housing needs criteria. This can have a negative impact on those who have housing needs due to inflated rental prices. Other issues concern disrepair in both the private and social sector where landlords and housing associations are not ensuring properties are up to standard.

The council is working with Circle Merton Priory Homes on their regeneration programme to ensure improvements to housing stock and proposals for new developments.

Councillor John Sargeant asked if there were any trends in the issues with housing supply and standard of properties. Simon Williams explained that the ability to meet housing need is getting more difficult. There is also an impact due to the impact of welfare reform and the changes to benefits received, particularly housing benefit.

Councillor Stan Anderson asked what the council was able to do to address these issues. Simon Williams explained that, with regard to houses in multiple occupation, the council has powers to regulate and ensure that properties are not going into disrepair. The council push for the quality standard for private rented housing but need to consider what is the best use of resources in how they tackle this. In some cases, resources are best spent on addressing housing need.

Councillor Stan Anderson asked what the council was able to do about empty homes. Simon Williams explained that there are incentives in place to bring unoccupied properties into use. Council tax benefits can often encourage owners of vacant properties to use them. There are some powers in place to address this but there are also links with the Environment and Regeneration Dept. with regard to regeneration in tackling this issue.

Chris Lee added that, if the property remains empty, then there are CPO powers to take the property back but that these are not often exercised.

Councillor Ross Garrod asked about the availability of housing and how the council was helping first time buyers get on the ladder.

Simon Williams explained that helping people secure housing was based on those who are identified as being in most need. The council are looking at supply based on land/site availability to support people on to the property ladder.  Increasing density is one option but this isn’t always popular. This is a strategic issue and there are links between housing and the Future Merton team within Environment and Regeneration to look at opportunities for regeneration and development in the borough. The council is working in partnership to look at developing the provision of affordable housing. The council also needs to encourage people to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Councillor Russell Makin outlined the process that had been taken to arrive at the draft work programme and asked Panel for any additions/amendments.

Councillor John Sargeant noted that the September agenda was particularly full. Rebecca Redman proposed that the Panel consider holding a special meeting of the Panel to meet with CMPH to discuss the housing items listed.

RESOLVED: 

·                     Panel agreed their 2014/15 work programme;

·                    Panel agreed to hold a special meeting in late September/early October to meet with CMPH