To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 October 2019, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Housing and Health Advisory Committee held on 8 October 2019 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

No additional declarations of interest were made.

The action was noted.

The Portfolio Holder advised that he had attended the West Kent Landlords Forum held on 28 October 2019.  The Forum was held twice a year to provide advice and support to local landlords and keep them up to date with developments affecting the private rented sector. The Forums were organised by the West Kent Landlords Partnership (Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Sevenoaks District Council and the National Landlords Association).

For information he tabled and spoke to social housing data and a map of some of the housing associations operating within the district.  He advised that there was a lack of one and two bed homes in the district yet West Kent Housing Association (WKHA) had advised at the previous meeting that most of their stock consisted of 3 bed homes.  He had met the new WKHA Chief Executive, Tracy Allison, who he understood would be reviewing current practices.  He had made suggestions of covering 3 bed houses to 1 / 2 bed flats/maisonettes and using semi derelict garage sites as creative ways to make the stock more appropriate to the need. 

He introduced Daniel McDermott, the new Health Team Leader, and advised that whilst he was updating a lot on housing at this meeting next time he would over more on health. 

The Portfolio Holder tabled an update.

Members discussed other Housing Associations not mentioned in the tabled list such as Orbit South Housing Association, English Rural Housing Association who were undertaking projects in West Kingsdown.  The Head of Housing & Health also advised that Golding Homes Housing Association were new in Swanley and looking to work with the Council, and Southern Housing Group had been talking to the Housing Policy Manager.  The Chairman commented that it was important to have a rich mixture of Housing Associations operating within the District.

There were none.

The Housing Policy Manager presented the report and gave a presentation on a progress report on the delivery of the District Council’s Housing Strategy ‘Wellbeing Starts at Home’.  He also tabled the comments within the presentation.  Members took the opportunity to ask questions of clarification.

In response to questions he advised that there was a trip planned in the new year to visit The Mallards development in Swanley, and that a fuller document on the delivery of the strategy would be written and circulated later.  It was noted that since the change in definition of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), it was more challenging to identify them and the team was focussing on this work.  It was advised that Parish & Town Councils could help support this identification process.

Action 1:  That the Housing Policy Manager invite Members of the Committee to the trip to The Mallards.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The Committee joined the Chairman in showing their appreciation for the valuable work Officers were doing.

The Head of Housing & Health presented the report which sought approval of the Sevenoaks District Health and Wellbeing Action Plan which set out objectives and actions that would help to reduce health inequalities and improve the health and wellbeing of residents across the District.

The Head of Housing & Health advised that Public Health England had developed a new tool which enabled access to local health data which could be used to address health inequalities and help focus where initiatives were delivered in order to have the greatest positive impact.  With limited resources such tools were invaluable for effective targeting.  In response to a question on what she could do with more resources, she advised that more resources would enable upscaling and targeting of more initiatives.

It was discussed and agreed that the word ‘existing’ be replaced with ‘quality’ at the first bullet point of Objective 5.1.

Members discussed possible causes of health inequalities.  It was acknowledged that stereotyping was not useful, and that it was about finding the groups that needed the most help.  It was advised that one identified indicator could uncover a complex range of needs.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved:  That it be recommended to Cabinet that the Action Plan be agreed and adopted, subject to the word ‘existing’ be replaced with ‘quality’ at the first bullet point of Objective 5.1.

To note the minutes of the meeting of the Health Liaison Board held on 6 November 2019.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Health Liaison Board held on 6 November 2019, were discussed and noted.

The work plan was noted subject to the Kent and Medway Housing Strategy report moving to the summer meeting.