For Cabinet to note and approve the content of the Herefordshire and Shropshire Housing Strategy 2012-2015.

The Cabinet Member Environment, Housing and Planning presented the report on the Joint Housing Strategy for Herefordshire and Shropshire.  The following points were made in discussion:

·         An action plan is being worked up alongside the strategy before cabinet for approval.

·         In referring to page 31 of the report, key challenges, the main aspect for Herefordshire was the lower earning income rate for families.  Herefordshire was in the lower quartile, which made it very challenging for young people to get on the housing ladder.

·         Cabinet noted that basic housing needs and requirements were covered in the overall strategy and the Local Development Framework (LDF) covered the needs of specific local areas.  The action plan linked to the LDF.

·         It was emphasised that affordable housing in rural areas needed to be appropriate and specific to rural jobs and the incomes afforded from those jobs.

·         Cabinet discussed the issues of fuel poverty for rural areas and the need to lobby central government on fuel prices. 

RESOLVED:  That the Herefordshire and Shropshire Housing Strategy 2012-15 be approved and adopted.