Issue - meetings

That consultation on the Wokingham Borough Council’s Draft Housing Strategy 2020-2024 be approved.

The Executive considered a report containing a draft Housing Strategy which sets out the Council’s vision for housing in Wokingham Borough from 2020-2024.

During his introduction the Executive Member for Finance and Housing highlighted the importance of people having decent housing and the change this made to people’s lives.  Councillor Kaiser advised that the Council had reduced the number of homeless people in the Borough, there were currently no rough sleepers and the number of people on the housing waiting list was the lowest of the neighbouring authorities with the number of people with real need being matched by the number of affordable homes that had been built over the last few years.  It was noted that the number of Band 1 homes was currently 151 and Band 2 was 104. 

Councillor Kaiser also highlighted the work of the Housing Companies which had delivered affordable housing across the Borough, and which were embarking on a £100m scheme to deliver 240 homes on Gorse Ride, as well as making a profit which could be reinvested in Council services.

The Leader of Council thanked Councillor Kaiser and the Deputy Chief Executive for the work they done to dramatically reduce homelessness and the work undertaken on rough sleepers.

RESOLVED:  That consultation on the Wokingham Borough Council’s Draft Housing Strategy 2020-2024 be approved.