Agenda item

The Chairman of the Housing Task Group was pleased and proud to present the Housing Task Group’s final report to the Board. 

Members were informed that the group had covered a wide range of subject areas, guided by the terms of reference, with key recommendations to be noted by the Board.  The Chairman of the task group expressed his thanks for the contributions from group Members for their valuable cross-party debates and also to the Democratic Services Officers who facilitated the meetings.

Members of the Housing Task Group also provided their gratitude for being part of the group and thanked the Chairman for his contributions and leadership.

Members discussed content within the report which highlighted a suggestion of residents downsizing to smaller properties which could assist with the pressures of council tax payment demands.  In response the Chairman of the Housing Task Group highlighted a recommendation within the report which requested that relevant Officers should monitor the number of residents claiming council tax in housing bands F, G and H. 

Members supported the recommendations but noted legal complexities around fleeceholding and the need to align with forthcoming government reforms.  In response the Chairman of the Board informed Members that during recent discussions with the Legal Department, it was proposed to amend recommendation 6 a) as follows:

From:

“As part of the Local Government Reorganisation process, the Council:

Includes the proposal that a process be investigated whereby a future unitary authority pursues and seeks to manage contracts in new developments that are causing fleeceholding issues within the District”.

To:

“As part of the Local Government Reorganisation process, the Council:

Notes that the Government is currently analysing the feedback from the consultation which sought views on proposals to implement aspects of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and further reform related to the charges leaseholders, and homeowners on freehold estates, pay and services they receive, which closed on 26^th September 2025”.

After consideration Members agreed to the recommendations within the Housing Task Group Final Report and suggested recommendation amendment.

RESOLVED that the Housing Task Group Final Report be noted.

RECOMMENDED that

Recommendation 1 – Housing Allocations

Officers approach Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT) and jointly explore a startup crisis package for residents living in social housing including the potential of an increase in housing benefit payment to cover the costs of the crisis package. The findings to be completed in three months and reported back to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Recommendation 2 – Housing Allocations

Bromsgrove District Council’s preference is for the mix of affordable housing contained within a new development be made up of social rent and shared ownership properties only and exclude outright sales of affordable homes.

Recommendation 3 – Asset Rich and Potentially Revenue Poor

Officers provide Members with costings of bad debt owed to the Council as a result of non – payment of Council tax by residents.

Recommendation 4 – Asset Rich and Potentially Revenue Poor

Officers monitor the number of residents claiming Council Tax Support in housing Bands F, G and H (with metrics built into the performance reporting framework).

Recommendation 5 – Section (S) 106 Contributions

Where a planning application has a material impact on the local community and there is a consideration for S106 contribution allocation, the Ward Member (and neighbouring Ward Member(s)) should be informed and consulted with prior to consideration of the application. A follow up consultation with the Ward Member (and neighbouring Ward Member(s)) should also take place.

Recommendation 6 - Fleeceholding

As part of the Local Government Reorganisation process, the Council:

a)    Notes that the Government is currently analysing the feedback from the consultation which sought views on proposals to implement aspects of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and further reform related to the charges leaseholders, and homeowners on freehold estates, pay and services they receive, which closed on 26^th September 2025.

b)    Suggests that a new unitary authority continues to lobby Government on the matter of fleeceholding within Bromsgrove District.