Local Housing Strategy 2011- 2016
North Ayrshire Council's Local Housing Strategy 2011-2016 (PDF 3.87Mb) has now been submitted to the Scottish Government and is supported by this Action Plan (PDF 221Kb).
The consultative draft of this strategy was available on the Council's website between 1st November 2010 and 26th November 2010 to enable public feedback. Following this public consultation and review from other partners, the consultative draft of the strategy was updated and submitted to the Executive of North Ayrshire Council for approval on 14th December 2010.
The strategy details how the Council and its partners will tackle challenges and issues within the local housing system, over the next 5 years.
It was developed through a process of research and consultation with different groups. Local housing challenges and issues were identified as a result of the findings of three 'Housing Need and Demand Assessments' and seven 'Local Housing Strategy' topic papers:
The topic papers were used to promote discussion with a wide range of stakeholders and generate views on addressing local housing challenges. Each topic paper was made available on the Council's website for feedback until 26th November 2010.
The strategy is 'outcome focused' and over its five year lifetime will ensure the following objectives are met:
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The supply and quality of housing better meets needs and aspirations
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Fewer people become homeless
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Housing support measures, promote independent living
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Housing is sustainable and contributes to stable communities
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Access to high quality information and advice has improved
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The strategic process is open, transparent and accountable
Strategic Environmental Assessment
The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to prepare an Environmental Report on any plans, procedures or strategies which may have an effect on the environment. The Environmental report and associated plan must be open to meaningful public consultation.
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (PDF 173Kb) for the Local Housing Strategy assesses the likely effects that the Strategy will have on the environment when implemented. The Assessment was prepared in consultation with various stakeholders and partner agencies and the responses from the consultation informed both the Strategic Environmental Assessment itself, and North Ayrshire Council's Local Housing Strategy 2011 – 2016.
In addition to public consultation, the Council is required to submit the Assessment to three statutory consultees (SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Scotland).
The Strategic Environmental Assessment carried out on the Local Housing Strategy found that most of the environmental effects of the Strategy were addressed within the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Council's Local Development Plan. It also found that when the Strategy is put in place it will have a positive effect on the environment. The key areas for improvement are:
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the potential to reduce waste by recycling materials
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the potential to reduce the impact on the environment by providing energy efficiency advice and assistance to North Ayrshire residents.
Now that the North Ayrshire Local Housing Strategy 2011 – 2016 is formally adopted (on 22nd June 2011) the Council is required to prepare a Strategic Environmental Assessment Post Adoption Statement (PDF, 1,012Kb) which outlines how the Council took account of consultation responses from the environmental report, how the Local Housing Strategy Action Plan was developed and how the environmental effects of the strategy will be monitored.
The strategy, environmental report and post adoption statement may also be inspected free of charge at the Council's headquarters at Cunninghame House, Irvine (from Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm) by contacting:
Lynne Martin
Development & Strategy Team
Community Care & Housing Services
5th Floor, Cunninghame House
Irvine
KA12 8EE
Tel: 01294 324069
Please note that the office will be closed from 12noon on the second Thursday of each month for staff training and development purposes.
Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP)
The Strategic Housing Investment Plan (PDF 416Kb) 2011 - 2016 has been approved by the Executive of North Ayrshire Council.
The Plan sets out the affordable housing investment priorities within North Ayrshire, over a five year period, to help achieve the strategic outcomes identified in the Local Housing Strategy 2011 – 2016.
All affordable development projects included in the programme are understood by the Council and its partners to be deliverable within the 5 year planning timeframe.
Interim Scheme of Assistance
North Ayrshire Council's Interim Scheme of Assistance (PDF 872Kb) for Home Owners and the Private Rented Sector details the information, advice and support that will be delivered to help individuals to repair, maintain, improve or adapt their homes.