Issue - meetings

This report outlines the key ideas and proposals contained within the Government’s recently published Housing Green Paper and Eco-Towns Prospectus and provides initial thoughts on the implications and opportunities presented for York.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised to

i)                   Delegate responsibility for the submission of a formal response to the Green paper to officers in Housing, City Strategy and Economic Development, who will seek to formulate a response in consultation with lead members over the next few weeks.

ii)         Provide any initial views on the details of the Green Paper and the comments supplied within this report.

ii)                 Ask that any other comments on the Green Paper be submitted to the Head of Housing by 30 September 2007.

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      i) The next available EMAP meeting is on 29 October 2007, after the deadline submission date of 15 October.

ii)So that these comments can be considered and incorporated into the final response to government.

Consideration was given to an information report which outlined the key ideas and proposals contained within the Government’s recently published Housing Green Paper and Eco-towns Prospectus and which provided some initial thoughts on the implications and opportunities presented for York. It was reported that the Government wee seeking views on the Green Paper by 15 October 2007.

The Green Paper set out current government policy to increase the supply of housing, to provide well designed and greener homes supported by appropriate infrastructure and to provide more affordable homes to buy or rent.

Some members expressed disappointment that they would not have the opportunity to view and discuss this sizeable document prior to the Councils response. Officers confirmed that a copy of the initial response would be emailed to all members of the Panel and that any comments received would where appropriate be incorporated into the final response.

Officers confirmed that this was a great opportunity for members and officers to influence the future provision of homes to meet growing demand, homes which met people’s needs which were greener and more affordable. In answer to members questions Officers stated that a review was to be undertaken to identify all surplus public land in the authorities boundary.

 Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised to

i)                   Delegate responsibility for the submission of a formal response to the Green paper to officers in Housing, City Strategy and Economic Development, who will seek to formulate a response in consultation with lead members over the next few weeks.

ii)         Provide any initial views on the details of the Green Paper and the comments supplied within this report.

ii)                 Ask that any other comments on the Green Paper be submitted to the Head of Housing by 30 September 2007.

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      i) The next available EMAP meeting is on 29 October 2007, after the deadline submission date of 15 October.

ii)So that these comments can be considered and incorporated into the final response to government.