Issue - meetings

Members were invited to consider a report on the Draft Housing Strategy 2017 – 2022 in order that the Committee could make a formal response to the consultation on the report based on four specific questions.

The Housing Strategy and Supply Manager, Lead Officer for the Draft Housing Strategy, presented the report and provided a background to the strategy and an explanation as to the implementation of identified actions.

Discussion ensued regarding the need to take other aspects into consideration, such as renewable energy options, provision of supplementary services, for example schools and leisure facilities, and infrastructure considerations as mentioned earlier in the meeting in regards to footpaths and cycleways.

Members were also keen to highlight the need to work in partnership with other agencies. Members felt that the involvement of County Council, Parish Councils and housing associations would be imperative to the success of any housing considerations.

Members were of the view that consultation questions C and D had been satisfied by the document. Based on comments and recommendations from Members, the Housing Strategy and Supply Manager agreed to make amendments to the report to incorporate project options for renewable energy in the implementation plan and to amend the strategy to add more detail about how West Lindsey District Council would work in partnership with other agencies to achieve the housing plan.

In light of the lengthy debate regarding renewable energy and its ability to go some way to addressing fuel poverty, and in light of the Government’s changed stance to such, the Committee considered it worthwhile to lobby the LGA.

RESOLVED that:-

a)    Members’ comments around the detail at section 2.1 of the report, as detailed above, be noted; and

b)    the LGA be lobbied around the need for new builds to include solar panels and renewable energy technologies.