Agenda item

Consider report by Executive Director Corporate Improvement & Economy seeking endorsement of the Annual Progress Report (copy attached).

6.1       With reference to paragraph 11 of the Minute of 20 August 2019, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Executive Director Corporate Improvement and Economy seeking agreement of the Annual Progress Report, setting out what had been achieved in the delivery of year three of the Local Housing Strategy (LHS) 2017-22, and approval to submit this to the Scottish Government More Homes Division.  The Council and its partners had made good progress since the LHS was formally approved.  Work in 2019/20 included the delivery of 141 affordable homes; the submission of a very ambitious Strategic Housing Investment Plan (2020-2025) underpinned by up to £158m of investment; implementation of the first year of the Affordable Warmth and Energy Efficiency Strategy; development of the Warm and Well Borders project; initiation of the pilot of the Missing Shares Scheme in Hawick; undertaking of a study on wheelchair accessible housing in the Borders; and the completion of 82 major adaptations. These were just some of the achievements over the year. In addition to the Annual Progress Report appended as Appendix 1 to the report a detailed monitoring and evaluation matrix was appended as Appendix 2. The Scottish Government had increased its Affordable Housing Investment Programme funding allocation to Scottish Borders to £16m. An additional £3.377m was then made available via slippage from other Council areas, therefore the total annual grant spend increased to a record £19.375m. This had supported the delivery of 141 affordable homes in 2019/20, exceeding our annual 128 unit target. There were also 14 assisted purchases through Scottish Government’s Open Market Shared Equity Scheme. Unfortunately due to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic it was anticipated that annual affordable housing completions in 2020-2021 would be reduced to around 122 new homes. This would fall slightly short of the LHS annual target of 128 homes. The current SHIP identified 1,125 affordable homes for anticipated completion from 2021-2026.  The report went on to detail work carried out on energy efficiency measures, the advice provided by the Council’s Homelessness Team, support given to Private Landlords and funding support given for adaptations and repairs. 

6.2       Members welcomed the report and the positive news it conveyed.  In response to a question about whether a proportion of housing was prioritised towards young people and families officers explained that each Registered Social Landlord (RSL) had its own housing allocation policy but offered to make an enquiry with the RSLs and provide Members with this information.  The Chief Planning & Housing Officer agreed with a Member’s point about the changes to town centres and opportunities for conversion to housing, particularly of upper floors of buildings. He explained that there was a significant piece of work ongoing involving RSLs and engagement with property owners to look at ways of re-purposing town centres. 

DECISION

AGREED to:-

(a)       note the progress made in delivering on the strategic actions as set out in the Annual Progress Report and Monitoring and Evaluation Matrix, as appended to the report; and

(b)       approve submission of the Annual Progress Report and Matrix to the Scottish Government More Homes division.