Resolved: That Cllr Maskell be appointed Chairman of the Advisory Committee for 2021/22.

(Cllr Maskell in the Chair)

Resolved: That Cllr Coleman be appointed Vice Chairman of the Advisory Committee for 2021/22.

To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 February 2021, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Housing and Health Advisory Committee held on 9 February 2021 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

There were no additional declarations of interest.

There were none.

The Portfolio Holder, and Chairman, reported that there was substantial ongoing work around staff recruitment and review of policies to enable continued developments in temporary accommodation, affordable housing, first home programme and the housing register.  There was also a considerable amount of ongoing work aimed at engaging and informing private landlords of the incentives package and wrap around tenancy support available to encourage landlords to take on tenants they normally would not. In addition landlords were being actively encouraged to proactively seek help before eviction.  Members took the opportunity to ask questions. Officers took on board comments made and it was noted that reports would be coming to future meetings.

There were none.

Members’ received an update on the ‘One You’ programme which was annually funded by Kent County Council’s Public Health service, and took the opportunity to ask questions.  It was generally agreed that Members would like to see the Kent County Council performance indicators, and it was hoped that once the new database system had been running for a while the data extracted would help further with analysis of the effectiveness of the scheme whilst recognising it had been a difficult year.  It was noted that with regards to referrals GPs had a backlog due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it was hoped referrals would pick up.  Members were encouraged to volunteer to lead on the ‘Every Step Counts’ initiative.

Acknowledging the difficult year, on behalf of the Committee the Chairman thanked the Team for all their hard work and he had personally been impressed by their creative thinking.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Members’ received an update on empty homes in the District, and took the opportunity to clarify and ask questions.  The Head of Housing undertook to clarify the definition with Council Tax of an unfurnished dwelling and Section 215 notices.  Members were keen to have more detailed data in a future report, and it was suggested that pictorial data in the form of a district wide map would help. 

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

To note the minutes of the meeting of the Health Liaison Board held on 26 May 2021.

The Minutes of the Health Liaison Board meeting held on 26 May 2021 were discussed and noted, particularly noting the issues and development around digital inclusion.

The work plan was noted, and the following additions made:

28 September 2021

·       Homes England First Homes Pilot Update

·       Landlord Incentive Scheme Update

·       Mental Health update

23 November 2021

·       Update on Empty Homes Action Plan

·       Housing Strategy

·       Homelessness Strategy

·       Rough Sleeper Initiative Update

·       Green homes grant project update

·       Progress on digital inclusion

8 February 2022

·       Health & Wellbeing Action Plan

·       Housing Allocations Policy

·       Update on One You