Cllrs. Horwood and Lowe were nominated and both nominations duly seconded.  On a majority show of hands it was

Resolved: That Cllr. Horwood be appointed as Chairman of the Advisory Committee for 2017/18.

No nominations were received for Vice Chairman to the Advisory Committee for 2017/18.  Upon advice, the Committee agreed to nominate a Vice Chairman for the purposes of the meeting only.

Resolved:  That Cllr. Dyball be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the purposes of this meeting only.

To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28 February 2017, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee held on 28 February 2017 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

No additional declarations of interest were made.

There were none.

Members’ noted the Portfolio Holder’s update which had been previously circulated.

There were none.

The Private Sector Housing Team Leader presented the report which advised Members that the Order made it a legal requirement for all lettings agents and property managers in England to join a Government-approved redress scheme by 1 October 2014.  Enforcement and the setting of the level of penalty charge applicable for a breach of the Order was the responsibility of the Council.  He advised that he would bring an update report to the Committee after a year.

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 to approve a penalty charge of £5,000 for breaching the order, unless following representation extenuating circumstance applies.

The Housing and Health Manager presented the report which sought approval of a draft West Kent Homelessness Strategy 2016-21 for consultation with stakeholders and residents. Whilst work had been carried out with Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils, this Council had decided to deliver its own Sevenoaks District Housing Strategy which set out the housing priorities for the Sevenoaks District.  The other two councils were delivering the Strategy as their Housing and Homelessness Strategy and therefore it was recognised that some of the housing information provided within the Homelessness Strategy and associated evidence data, would need to be amended for the purposes of the Sevenoaks District. 

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That the draft West Kent Homelessness Strategy be approved for consultation with stakeholders and residents.

The Housing Policy Manager introduced a report which presented the findings of the recent public consultation on the new Draft Housing Strategy. The strategy set out a series of strategic priorities, many updated from the previous housing strategy, under the following three headings: providing a good mix of decent and affordable housing across tenures; Improving the quality and use of existing housing stock; and meeting the needs of vulnerable and low income households.  If approved, more detailed action plans (where required) would be prepared to deliver on the agreed strategies.  Once completed, these would be made available to Members as internal working documents.   

If approved the Housing Strategy would be formally launched the published at a housing forum which was currently planned for late 2017.  Members would be formally invited to the event and a copy of the final document provided.   

The Housing Policy Manager advised that he would bring twice yearly update reports to the Housing & Health and the Planning Advisory Committees.

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 to recommend to Council to approve the Draft Housing Strategy.  

The Housing and Health Manager presented the report which set out the Council’s Policy for participating in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (SVPRS) in Kent.  Members were asked to consider the report to Cabinet which recommended adoption of the Sevenoaks District SVPRS Policy to enable the Council to support the resettlement of Syrian refugee families, if suitable and affordable housing was identified.  Decision making on a case by case basis would be achieved through delegated powers to the Portfolio Holder responsible for Housing, following consultation with local Members. 

The Housing and Health Manager further advised that the Council had been approached by a homeowner to act as a management agent, but the Council was unable to do this.  However, it appeared there may be a letting agent willing to do this work.

The Chairman used his discretion to allow a member of the public to speak who was there on behalf of Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees.  She advised that Savills in West Malling were the agents that may be interested in taking on this role.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Members considered the report and it was

Resolved:  That the report to Cabinet be noted.

The Head of Housing & Health presented the report which sought Cabinet approval for the proposed assessment form following the meeting of Cabinet on 15 October 2016, when it was resolved that Officers work on and implement a process to consider applications from potential Community Sponsors under the Government’s Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (VPRS) Community Sponsorship Programme. 

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

To note the minutes of the meeting of the Health Liaison Board held on 24 May 2017.

The Vice Chairman of the Health Liaison Board presented the minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2017 highlighting some of the discussion.  The minutes were noted. 

The work plan and the addition Minutes 8 and 10 were noted. 

The Chief Officer Communities and Business advised Members that the Kent & Medway Health and Social Care Sustainability and Transformation Plan was looking at how local health would be provided. This was an important area of work as it would affect local health services.   There was a public event in Sevenoaks on 8 August 2017, venue yet to be confirmed.

An update on emergency housing at the meeting in November was requested, as well as an update on the implementation of the Sevenoaks District Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme Policy.

Members queried what the Council was doing with regards to checking properties for flammable cladding, in light of the recent disaster and named some building they had concerns with.  The Chief Officer Communities and Business gave an update about the information the Council had been asked to provide to DCLG and said that that Officers were also working with Kent Fire & Rescue Service.  Kent Fire & Rescue Service had asked if there were any sites where there were community concerns and where they could provide reassurance.   She took note of the buildings Members were concerned about and requested Members to inform Officers of any others they knew of.  There would be a written update for Members shortly.

The Chairman said that, with the Advisory Committee’s consent he would write to the Portfolio Holders, requesting assurances.  This was agreed.

The Chief Officer Communities and Business also took the opportunity to update Members on a recent fire at Emily Court, Wilmington.  There had been one fatality, and six displaced residents mainly as a result of smoke and water damage  KCC Officers were working closely with Kent Fire Service, who had fed back that it was a well built and maintained building and had behaved as it should have during a fire.