That this Council believes that the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) targets of 4740 should be suspended with immediate effect due to the economic challenges this city currently faces.
This Council notes the housing crisis in this city and resolves to look at innovative ways of tackling this problemby adopting a plan of action that includes:-
· Approaching local developers to see whether unsold properties can be leased by the local authority or local housing associations.
· Working with local housing associations to ensure they maximise Leeds’ share of the funding available through the Government’s recent rescue package.
· Working with owners of empty flats in the city centre to bring them into use for key workers and others in housing need.
· Ensuring owner occupiers at risk of losing their homes receive high quality advice, including warnings about unscrupulous finance companies.
· Lobbying central government to introduce more security and tenant protection in the private rented sector.
R LEWIS
Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor R Lewis seconded by Councillor Blake
That this Council believes that the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) targets of 4740 should be suspended with immediate effect due to the economic challenges this city currently faces.
This Council notes the housing crisis in this city and resolves to look at innovative ways of tackling this problemby adopting a plan of action that includes:-
· Approaching local developers to see whether unsold properties can be leased by the local authority or local housing associations.
· Working with local housing associations to ensure they maximise Leeds’ share of the funding available through the Government’s recent rescue package.
· Working with owners of empty flats in the city centre to bring them into use for key workers and others in housing need.
· Ensuring owner occupiers at risk of losing their homes receive high quality advice, including warnings about unscrupulous finance companies.
· Lobbying central government to introduce more security and tenant protection in the private rented sector
An amendment was moved by Councillor J L Carter seconded by Councillor A Carter
Delete all after “This Council” and insert:
“believes that the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) target of 4740 houses per year should be scrapped with immediate effect to allow local authorities to make a more realistic decision based on local economic factors and housing need.
This Council notes the comprehensive approach taken by this administration to address housing issues in the city, including:-
· The continued development of the Easel Project
· Wide ranging plans to tackle poor housing standards in the private sector with an initial focus on tackling excess cold
· The development and establishment of an Affordable Housing Strategic Partnership to maximise the development and delivery of affordable housing in the city
· The delivery of multi million pound Housing PFI projects in Swarcliffe, Little London and Beeston Hill and Holbeck, with further plans to secure £270m to tackle older people’s housing.
· The delivery of the first new council homes in Leeds for over 20 years
· Significant reductions in the number of homeless people living in the city
· Continuing delivery of the Social Housing decency programme
· Increased assistance to vulnerable people through disabled facilities grants
Furthermore this council notes the work already being undertaken to develop a flexible and innovative response to the recent financial crisis and knock on effects this has had on the housing market, that includes:
· Approaching local developers to see whether unsold properties can be purchased by the local authority or local housing associations.
· Working with local housing associations to ensure they maximise Leeds’ share of the funding available through the Government’s recent rescue package.
· Working with owners of empty flats in the city centre to bring them into use for key workers and others in housing need.
· Ensuring owner occupiers at risk of losing their homes receive high quality advice, including warnings about unscrupulous finance companies.
· Continue to lobby Central Government on all aspects of housing in Leeds for the benefit of Leeds Citizens
· A mortgage rescue scheme.
The amendment was carried and upon being put as the substantive motion it was
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY – That this Council believes that the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) target of 4740 houses per year should be scrapped with immediate effect to allow local authorities to make a more realistic decision based on local economic factors and housing need.
This Council notes the comprehensive approach taken by this administration to address housing issues in the city, including:-
· The continued development of the Easel Project
· Wide ranging plans to tackle poor housing standards in the private sector with an initial focus on tackling excess cold
· The development and establishment of an Affordable Housing Strategic Partnership to maximise the development and delivery of affordable housing in the city
· The delivery of multi million pound Housing PFI projects in Swarcliffe, Little London and Beeston Hill and Holbeck, with further plans to secure £270m to tackle older people’s housing.
· The delivery of the first new council homes in Leeds for over 20 years
· Significant reductions in the number of homeless people living in the city
· Continuing delivery of the Social Housing decency programme
· Increased assistance to vulnerable people through disabled facilities grants
Furthermore this council notes the work already being undertaken to develop a flexible and innovative response to the recent financial crisis and knock on effects this has had on the housing market, that includes:
· Approaching local developers to see whether unsold properties can be purchased by the local authority or local housing associations.
· Working with local housing associations to ensure they maximise Leeds’ share of the funding available through the Government’s recent rescue package.
· Working with owners of empty flats in the city centre to bring them into use for key workers and others in housing need.
· Ensuring owner occupiers at risk of losing their homes receive high quality advice, including warnings about unscrupulous finance companies.
· Continue to lobby Central Government on all aspects of housing in Leeds for the benefit of Leeds Citizens
· A mortgage rescue scheme.
(Councillors A Hussain and Rafique, having declared personal and prejudicial interests, left the meeting during consideration of this item)