Agenda item

Agenda item

Park Homes Strategy


To consider and comment on the feedback received as a result of the public consultation on the draft Park Homes in Central Bedfordshire Offer document’ and agree the action plan which will drive improvements to services over the next 5 years.

 

Due to their size hard copies of the appendices to this report have been  circulated to Members of the Committee only.  Full appendices of these appendices are available from the following link:-

 

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=644&MId=4750&Ver=4

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

 

The Head of Housing Solutions presented a report that introduced the Committee to the ‘draft Park Homes in Central Bedfordshire – a unique environment and place to live 2015-2020’ and delivered a presentation on the vision and priorities for park home residents.  This piece of work had been prepared based on the results of a residents’ needs assessment survey held in October 2014, a residents’ engagement event and a consultation.

 

The Director of Social Care Health and Housing advised that Members of the Executive would be considering the draft Park Homes document at their next meeting with a proposed action plan.

 

In light of the report and further clarification, Members raised the following:-

·         That Housing Officers continue to provide residents with technical support and signposting to funds to keep Park Homes warm.  In response the Head of Housing Solutions advised that a Government Standard had been agreed before Christmas and energy companies should receive funding through the Green Deal scheme to potentially fund energy efficiency improvements in Park Homes.

·         Concern that the cost of improvements made by Park Home owners were passed on to vulnerable residents.  The Head of Housing Solutions advised that concerns of this nature were best raised through the forum; it was recognised as an issue.

·         Why there had been a low number of respondents to the Park Homes Offer consultation?  The Head of Housing Solutions advised that many residents had responded to the Needs Assessment survey and consequently might have thought that they had already responded to the consultation. This was mentioned at the Residents’ Forum in January 2015.

·         Members requested paper details on the Park Homes Offer that could be distributed through the Village Care Schemes.

·         Whether the Executive Member could bring pressure to bear to improve the efficiency and building standards of Park Homes.  In response the Head of Housing Solutions advised that the homes must be mobile and movable to remain on the Parks and the idea of solar panels in the roof of park homes might cause a problem.

·         Whether site owners enjoyed a happy relationship with its residents in general.  The Head of Housing Solutions advised there had been concerns, however, the residents’ forum had been helpful to raise concerns and agree a solution.

 

In conclusion the Head of Housing Solutions advised that residents do like living in Park Homes, however, there were no plans to build a new site.

 

RECOMMENDED that the Executive adopt the draft Park Homes in Central Bedfordshire document.

Supporting documents: