Agenda item

THE CARMARTHENSHIRE HOMES STANDARD PLUS (CHS+) BUSINESS PLAN 2020-23

Minutes:

The Executive Board considered the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus (CHS+) Business Plan 2020-2023 plan the purpose of which was to:

 

·         Explain the vision and detail of maintaining and improving the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus over the next three years, and what it means for tenants

·         Set out the intention to develop a new Carmarthenshire standard by continuing to move towards carbon neutral homes, both existing and new, ensuring new supply chain, jobs and training opportunities are delivered

·         Confirm the financial profile, based on current assumptions, for the delivery of the CHS+ over the next three years

·         Produce a business plan for the annual application to Welsh Government for Major Repairs Allowance (MRA) for 2020/21, equating to £6.1m.

 

The Executive Board Member for Housing highlighted that the report detailed the intention to work with partners in developing a new Carmarthenshire standard by continuing to move towards carbon neutral homes, both existing and new.  With the assistance of Cardiff University, the Authority had been working on the retrofitting of a range of low carbon technologies including renewable energy supplies, energy storage and energy demand reduction technologies.  Monitoring equipment had been installed and the results would be analysed in terms of cost, benefits to tenants and ease of use.

 

The Executive Board was advised that nearly £49m had been set aside to maintain the CHS+ for existing tenants over the next 3 years to enable tenants to benefit from homes that are carbon friendly and cheaper to run.

 

The Executive Board Member for Housing confirmed that the Authority was on the verge of achieving its promise of delivering 1,000 more affordable homes by 2021. This had been achieved by buying houses on the market, bringing empty houses back in to use and by building new homes.  Over 60 households have been housed through the Accessible Housing Register ensuring that the homes met their specific housing needs.

 

The Executive Board Member for Housing stated that while much had been achieved, it was recognised that there was still more to be done but the Authority was ready to face the challenges. It was detailed in the published plan the intention of the Authority to develop a new build programme for Cartrefi Croeso to enable the maximisation of housing especially in rural areas.  The work to build new Council homes at Dylan had already started and with nearly £52m available to spend over the next three years on building more Council homes this would align with the wider housing investment programme.  This would enable the Authority to focus on the proposed development in the Tyisha ward, the Wellness Village, Town Centres and rural towns.

 

The Executive Board was advised that the Authority was aware that the introduction of Universal Credit had presented a challenge for tenants in managing their monthly budgets, but the action plan implemented by the Authority had reduced the impact as much as possible for them.

 

The Executive Board Member for Housing advised that these were exciting times and also a time of uncertainty for tenants, however the Authority had been able to keep the rent increase for 2020/21 at an average of 2.7% and that this achievement should not be underestimated.  Over the next year the Authority would need to ensure clarity from Welsh Government on future financial priorities in terms of maintaining existing standards, introduction of new standards to support the decarbonisation agenda and building affordable homes for those in need. 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL THAT:-

 

9.1

The vision of the CHS+ and the financial and delivery programme over the next three years be confirmed.

9.2

The submission of the 2020/23 Business Plan to Welsh Government be confirmed.

9.3

The intention to develop a new Carmarthenshire standard by continuing to move towards carbon neutral homes, both existing and new, ensuring new supply chain, jobs and training opportunities are delivered be noted.

 

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