DECISION

1.    To approve the refreshed version of the current Overcrowding and Under-Occupation plan as set out in Appendix B to the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Housing Strategy Manager (M. Ling)

Councillor Sirajul Islam, Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Performance, introduced the report. He highlighted that the previous policy had reached its expiry date and so needed to be updated. However, the Council was working on its new Housing Strategy and so this policy would be absorbed into that once it was agreed.

Councillor Peter Golds, Leader of the Conservative Group, addressed the meeting. In particular he expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed £23k Benefit Cap and asked if the Council was working with other London Boroughs on the issue. He also requested more information on whether the mix of new residential housing was appropriate for the relative levels of demand for large and small properties.

The Mayor welcomed the comments on the Benefit Cap and confirmed the Council was working with London partners on the issue. He also agreed it would be useful to have more details set out on the types of housing required in the Borough. He agreed the recommendations set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the refreshed version of the current Overcrowding and Under-Occupation plan as set out in Appendix B to the report.