Agenda item

Consider report by Director – Infrastructure and Environment (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Director – Infrastructure and Environment which sought endorsement of the Annual progress Report, which set out achievements and progress in the delivery of the Local Housing Strategy (LHS) 2017-22(23) and approval to submit that to the Scottish Government More Homes Division. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 placed a statutory requirement on local authorities to develop a Local Housing Strategy, supported by an assessment of housing need and demand. That strategy set out the strategic direction for housing investment and service delivery in the Scottish Borders for 2017-22(23).  The Council and its partners had made good progress since the LHS was formally approved in September 2017.  Year six had seen some challenges as a result of the legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the Cost of Living Crisis, however, activity during 2022/23 included the delivery of 146 affordable homes, the submission of an ambitious Strategic Housing Investment Plan, delivery of 220 energy efficiency measures underpinned by £1.8m in investment, delivering the Warm and Well Borders project, initiating development of the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy, progress related to empty homes, progress in delivery of the Rapid Re-Housing Transition Plan and 68 major adaptations completed in the private sector.  The Principal Housing Officer, Ms Donna Bogdanovic, presented the report and explained that a number of key highlights had been drawn out of the full report as part of the summary.  Members welcomed the progress which had been made in delivering affordable homes throughout the period, and stressed that even more needed to be done over the coming years.  In response to a question regarding a pilot energy efficiency project which had previously been run in Peebles, Ms Bogdanovic explained that whilst the pilot had been successful and well received, no appropriate funding was available to offer future schemes or a repeat of the pilot.  The Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) was expected to drive future work in the area of energy efficiency.  Ms Bogdanovic highlighted that there was a high degree of work related to energy efficiency and climate change being undertaken across the Council by dedicated officers.  The importance of reducing stigma associated with affordable housing was stressed.  In response to a question regarding what steps were taken to ensure that homes were built that did not require subsequently expensive alterations, and how the Registered Social Landlords ensured they had adequate housing stock, Ms Bogdanovic explained that her team worked closely with the RSLs to ensure that appropriate homes were built. Challenges remained in convincing the private sector to build wheelchair accessible standard homes.  In response to a question regarding the proportion of homes rented in the private sector, Ms Bogdanovic explained that approximately 13% were private rented, 20% social rented and the remainder owner occupied.  A Scottish Government consultation was expected later in the year on the requirement to maintain private rented homes to the same standard as the social rented sector.  Where issues with private tenancies the Council’s Private Sector Liaison and Enforcement Officer could assist landlords with guidance on bringing their property up to the required standard.  Regarding the level of collaboration between Planning and Housing, the Chief Planning Officer, Mr Ian Aikman, explained that both teams reported to him.  Following the change in guidance enacted by the National Planning Framework 4, climate change, biodiversity and net zero were of the highest importance in the context of planning and housing moving forward.  Mr Aikman undertook to prepare a Members Briefing regarding the perception of affordable homes, and explained that he expected that the Chief Executives of the appropriate RSLs would attend.   It was highlighted that a briefing at the Anti-Poverty Members Reference Group on the subject would also be helpful. 

DECISION

AGREED to:

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

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