Agenda item

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

The Chair provided an introduction to the theme for the meeting  – Our Place – and introduced Charles Johnston, Lead Planning Officer, SBC.  Mr Johnston talked about the Main Issues Report (MIR) which was a forerunner to the next Local Development Plan.  He explained that the MIR focused on the main planning issues, identified a number of options including regeneration oftown centres and suggested housing/affordable housing sites.   The MIR proposed more housing land than was required and the final decision on the housing land supply would lie with Scottish Ministers.   A 12 week consultation on the MIR was about to begin and would involve officers holding a series of drop in sessions and workshops across the Scottish Borders, as well as a formal consultation process.    Mr Johnston encouraged everyone to put forward their views on what they considered were the main issues.  They could do this by attending one of the sessions, or via the website or by phone.  Feedback would then be reported back to Council and fed into the process for preparation of the Local Development Plan.  The Local Development Plan covered a five year cycle, the next was due in 2021.   In response to a question regarding the longer term aspirations for Hawick, Mr Johnston advised that the Hawick Action Plan, regeneration measures within the town centre and the allocation and servicing of business/industrial land would help the longer term development of Hawick.  With regard to the extension of the Borders Railway to Newcastleton, Mr Johnston advised that the Council would continue to promote the extension of the rail link towards Hawick and beyond. 

3.2       Mr Andy Tharme, Ecology Officer SBC then made reference to the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBDP) which had last been updated in 2001, so it was time for a review.   Feedback from the 12 week consultation would be included in the Local Development Plan.  The Local Biodiversity Action Plan was based on an ecosystem approach with a strong emphasis on climate change, pollution and land use.  The document was available on the Council’s website and people were asked to participate in the consultation by providing comments.  The consultation was open until 30 November 2018 and could be assessed through the Citizen Space online system.

3.3       Ms Donna Bogdanovic, Senior Housing Strategy Officer, SBC, then discussed the Local Housing Strategy.   Ms Bogdanovic explained that the Council did not hold any housing stock, having transferred all its housing stock to be managed by local housing associations.  However, the Council was the strategic housing authority and was required to produce a Local Housing Strategy every five years.  The Strategy was developed with a wide range of partners, including Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) and covered a wide range of issues and solutions to the challenge of increasing housing supply across the Scottish Borders.  The Strategy also covered energy efficiency of homes, condition of properties in the rental sector, homelessness, empty properties and enabling people to stay in their own homes as long as possible.  Ms Bogdanovic explained that the Strategy detailed the need to build 348 properties every year – 128 of which needed to be affordable. Trying to meet the needs of everyone was a big challenge and the Strategy focused on the delivery of housing and related services to meet the needs of local communities.   In response to a question regarding affordable housing for young people, Ms Bogdanovic advised that a working group had been set up and 600 young people had been asked for their views.  An interim report was being prepared and would be published before the end of this year. With regard to housing for people with disabilities, Ms Bogdanovic advised that SBC worked closely with the Learning Disability Service to identify requirements.

3.4       The Chairman then introduced Ms Maria Lyall, Director of Customer Services, Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) and Fraser Kelly, Chief Executive from Waverley Housing Association.  Ms Lyall made reference to the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) which was a five year operational document for delivery of housing.  The SHIP was reviewed each year by a panel which included the four main registered social landlords and the Council with projects assessed on the criteria for deliverability, housing need, demographics, regeneration of areas, future proofing homes to meet energy efficiency standards and the impact on communities. 

3.5       Responses were given to a number of general questions.  In terms of housing turnover, Ms Lyall advised that there was an 8% turnover of housing stock per year. Ms Lyall also confirmed that economic viability and employment opportunities were considered when allocating housing land.  With regard to homelessness, Ms Bogdanovic advised that 700 people a year approached the Council for assistance with housing, the Council worked in partnership with a wide range of services, organisations and individuals to prevent homelessness. Individual circumstances around homelessness had to be considered and there were pockets of long term empty homes where there was little demand.   In response to a question regarding the lack of disability housing in the SHIP, Ms Lyall explained that demand was consistently assessed and dependent on individual area needs.  The SHIP had also been instrumental in the successful delivery of SBHA’s Stonefield Project in Hawick.   Ms Bogdanovic added that in Hawick there was the potential for the delivery of 30 self-contained homes for specialist requirements in a proposed Extra Care Housing development.

 3.6      Following the introductory talks, officers joined elected Members, partners and member of the public at their tables for a discussion on the main issues relating to “Our Place”.  A pack of information had been provided at each table to aid the discussion as were post-it notes to record emerging points which would be taken forward in the Teviot and Liddesdale area.  A summary of the output of the discussions is provided as an appendix to this minute.