Agenda item

A facilitated discussion on the subject in order to put forward a set of initial outcomes for Tweeddale. Further information on local data and statistics.

5.1       The Chairman welcomed Charles Johnston, Senior Planning Officer, who talked about the Main Issues Report (MIR) which had recently been approved by Council for a 12 week public consultation period.  The preparation of the MIR was intended to encourage engagement with the local community, sought opinion on a number of key issues and set out the Council’s proposed and alternative approaches to a range of matters.  The consultation would involve officers holding sessions in various lotions around the Borders with local people.  The format would include afternoon drop-in sessions and more formal evening workshops to give feedback.  These would commence in mid-October and suggestions for venues would be welcomed.  The MIR asked a series of questions on matters such as site suggestions and policy changes.  Mr Johnston gave some examples of things on which comment was sought on a wide range of issues including housing sites, industrial sites, housing in the countryside and climate change.  An electronic link to the consultation would be issued to all community organisations.

5.2       Donna Bogdanovic, the Council’s Senior Housing Strategy Officer commented on the production of the Local Housing Strategy which was prepared in partnership with the main Registered Social Landlords and covered the period 2017- 2022.  The purpose of the document was to identify and resolve the key housing issues.  The key areas included increasing housing supply, housing quality, energy efficiency, fuel poverty, the private rented sector, preventing homelessness and assisting independent living.  The Strategy set the housing supply target which had been arrived at following a comprehensive assessment of need.  She commented on the plans for affordable housing in the Tweeddale Area and the current condition of housing stock with a lot of work needed on older properties.  With regard to energy efficiency Change Works in Peebles were managing an energy efficiency project which provided a hub to allow people to discuss energy efficiency.  Extra funding was being sought to expand this project to cover the whole of Tweeddale. 

5.3       Henry Coyle, Director of Assets and Property Services, Scottish Borders Housing Association advised that the 4 social landlords in the Scottish Borders formed the Borders Housing Network and worked in partnership.  With regard to the provision of social housing he outlined the appraisal process which included a number of considerations including site location, inclusion in the SHIP, government funding, need and value for money.  There was a design guide for new housing to maintain the standard of the homes covering areas such as energy efficiency and high quality communal spaces.  The Scottish Government objectives were key with a requirement to deliver 674 new homes in the next 4 years.  With regard to projects in Tweeddale there were plans for both Eildon and SBHA to build new homes in Cardrona, Broughton, Innerleithen and Peebles at a total cost of £4.7m.  SBHA currently managed 5600 homes across the Scottish Borders and were spending £1m per month upgrading those including the provision of new doors and windows and improved energy efficiency.

5.4       Colin Banks explained to those present the new method of recording the views of those present and that sheets to capture these were included on each table.  At the conclusion of the discussion he highlighted some of the main points raised which included:-

·         Town Centre regeneration – covering public transport, effective CCTV and good lighting, shop vacancy rates, business rates and parking

·         Affordable housing in the countryside

·         Employment for younger people

·         Need for industrial land

·         Impact of new housing on services such as health

·         Aging population

·         Use of derelict property

·         Infrastructure including better roads