Decision details

The Portfolio Holders for Strategic Planning and Housing presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were requested to consider agreeing the publication of the BCP Council Housing Delivery Test (HDT) Action Plan which is required by national policy. In relation to this Cabinet were advised that locally across the BCP Council area, the need for additional homes is recognised in the legacy Housing Strategies and adopted Local Plans.

Further to this Cabinet were advised that an HDT Action Plan was required where delivery falls below 95% of local housing requirements, and that the 2018 HDT results (published in February 2019) were assessed against housing requirements for the preceding Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils where each area fell below the 95% benchmark.

Cabinet were advised that the Action Plan must set out measures the Council will take to increase delivery back to required rates.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning advised that on page 181 paragraph 4.12 the reference to Christchurch Town Council in relation to Roeshot Hill Allotments should be amended to read Highcliff and Walkford Parish Council, and that the housing on page 165 paragraph 2.4 the housing figure of 722 should be amended to read 730.

A Member of the Overview and Scrutiny Board advised Cabinet that at their recent meeting the Board had supported the item, but had discussed the action plan, and whether there were enough short sharp actions which could be achieved by using what we know.

A Councillor present at the meeting congratulated the author of the report for writing a first class report.

RESOLVED that the work undertaken to date be endorsed and the Action Plan at Appendix 1 of the report be published.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holders: Strategic Planning

Housing