Agenda item

A facilitated discussion on the subject in order to put forward a set of initial outcome(s) for Eildon - further information on local data and statistics

3.1       The Chairman provided an introduction to the theme for the meeting – Our Place -  and introduced Mr Ian Aikman, Chief Planning Officer, SBC.   Mr Aikman provided information about the Main Issues Report (MIR) explaining that that MIR was the forerunner to the Local Development Plan.  The MIR focused on the main issues and asked for comments on proposed sites and suggestions for other sites that could be designated for housing. A 12 week consultation on the MIR was underway and involved officers holding a series of drop in sessions and workshops across the Scottish Borders as well as a formal consultation process.   Mr Aikman encouraged everyone to put forward their views either at one of the sessions, or via the website or by phone.  Feedback would then be reported back to the Council and fed into the process for preparation of the Local Development Plan.   In response to questions, Mr Aikman advised that the MIR was not just about land allocation but included regeneration of  town centres, suggested housing/affordable housing sites, the types of housing required,  flooding issues affecting some towns, location of land for industrial purposes and policy changes, for example, to allow development of single dwellings in isolated areas.

3.2       Mr Andy Tharme, Ecology Officer, SBC, then made reference to the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) which was currently out for consultation. Feedback from the consultation would be included in the Local Development Plan.  The LBAP was based on an ecosystem approach to deliver targeted, collaborative action to maintain and enhance the sustainable use of local natural resources.   Mr Tharme explained that the LBAP addressed the impact of 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 accessed through the Citizen Space online system.

3.3       Ms Donna Bogdanovic, SBC’s Senior Housing Strategy Officer 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 Eildon Housing Association, and covered a wide range of issues and solutions to increase the housing supply within the Scottish Borders.  The Strategy also covered energy efficiency, condition of properties in the rental sector, homelessness and empty properties.   The Strategy detailed the requirement to build 348 homes every year, 128 of which must be affordable.  Ms Bogdanovic explained that 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. One of the main issues affecting the Scottish Borders was the disrepair and energy efficiency of many older properties which would require significant investment.    Homelessness was another issue with approximately 700 people a year approaching SBC for assistance.  The Council worked in partnership with a wide range of services, organisations and individuals to prevent homelessness.

3.4       The Chairman then introduced Mr Nile Istephan, Eildon Housing Association Chief Executive.  Mr Istephan provided information about Eildon Housing Association (EHA) which was one of four housing associations in the Scottish Borders and managed 1,500 homes.   Mr Istephan discussed the process for building new homes in the Scottish Borders advising that EHA had to decide on the type of homes required, identify suitable sites, deliverability, social impact on the community and that people wanted to live there.    He went on to explain that once a suitable site was identified EHA had to secure funding – Scottish Government gave 40% to 50% of the cost, the remainder being covered by bank loans and private finance.  EHA then had to apply for planning approval, consider infrastructure and the appointment of contractors.  He then discussed the letting process, explaining that this was based on the choice letting process where people were able to bid for advertised properties.  For new build properties EHA could receive in excess of 100 bids which showed the great demand for homes in the Scottish Borders.   

3.5       Responses were given to a number of general questions.  In response to a question on housing allocation, Mr Istephan explained that this was based on housing needs e.g. homelessness, health requirements.  EHA’s allocation team offered advice to people on how they could maximise their chance of getting a home, perhaps by broadening their search area.    With regard to tenancies, he explained that tenancies were for life.  However, there was an incentive scheme which offered support for people considering freeing up larger properties to downsize.  Regarding the impact of new builds on local services, he advised that a whole range of services including educational and medical provision were considered.  With regard to Brexit he advised that it might have an impact on how EHA borrowed monies and could potentially affect imports of building materials from Europe and retention of labour.   Mr Aikman added that the private sector was in a fragile positon as they could only recover what they could sell the property for.  However, if they were in partnership with one of the housing associations they could plan new builds with confidence.  

3.6       Following the introductory talks, officers joined elected Members, partners and members 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 feedback sheets to record emerging points which would be taken forward in the Eildon area.  A summary of the output of the discussions is provided as an appendix to this minute.