Request support for Walsall

We're not currently able to provide detailed weekly summaries for Walsall Council. We need support from the council to:

  • Ensure we can reliably access and process council meeting information
  • Cover the costs of processing and summarizing council data
  • Maintain and improve the service for residents

You can help make this happen!

Contact your councillors to let them know you want Walsall Council to support Open Council Network. This will help ensure residents can stay informed about council decisions and activities.

If you represent a council or business, or would be willing to donate to support this service, please contact us at community@opencouncil.network.

Place Scrutiny Board - Thursday, 13th June, 2024 6.00 pm

June 13, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting
AI Generated

Summary

The Place Scrutiny Board of Walsall Council held a meeting on Thursday, 13 June 2024, where the primary focus was a detailed review into housing within Calderdale. The board discussed the findings of the review group, acknowledged the national housing crisis, and highlighted the exceptional work of the housing team. Recommendations were made to improve communication, continue fighting for funding, and ensure ongoing scrutiny of homelessness figures. The board also discussed the challenges of balancing housing needs with sustainability and the role of developers in this process.

Housing Review in Calderdale

The board reviewed a detailed report on housing within Calderdale, presented by Councillor Helen Brundell. The review was conducted in the context of a national housing crisis, which is particularly acute in Calderdale. The report praised the housing team's hard work and highlighted the importance of continuing to support and guide renters. The recommendations focused on maintaining current efforts, securing additional funding, and ensuring regular updates on homelessness figures.

Councillor Brundell noted:

Our recommendations reflect that we are in a difficult situation and they centre around highlighting the work already being done and making sure that those particularly renting can seek the advice and guidance that they need.

Discussion on Recommendations

The board discussed various recommendations, including:

  • Recommendation 3: Raising the issue of banks factoring in rent payments for mortgage applications. Councillor Brundell mentioned that Skipton Building Society already does this, suggesting it is possible.
  • Recommendation 7: Encouraging developers to incorporate sustainability measures. Heidi Waters, Strategic Lead for Housing and Climate Change, explained the challenges developers face and the need for a balanced approach.

Heidi Waters added:

We try and develop a relationship so that it isn't a dictatorial or authoritarian discussion we have where we're saying, 'This must happen.' It's about persuasion and working with them and understanding the challenges that they face.

Concerns and Questions

Board members raised several concerns and questions:

  • Councillor Gallagher asked about the potential for legislative changes to give local authorities more power in planning and sustainability.
  • Councillor Dickinson inquired about the effectiveness of current enforcement measures for housing standards and the potential for a landlord registry.
  • Councillor Hunt expressed concerns about the focus on executive homes rather than affordable housing in new developments.

Amendments and Voting

Two amendments were proposed and accepted:

  1. Recommendation 6: Changing the date from November 2024 to March 2025 to allow more time for implementation.
  2. New Recommendation: Writing to the new MPs serving Calderdale to urge them to prioritize updated legislation on rental sector reform.

The board voted to endorse the recommendations, including the amendments, and to submit them to the Cabinet and other relevant partnerships for consideration.

Future Work Programme

The board discussed the terms of reference for a detailed review of pollution in the River Calder and agreed to expand the scope to include canals and open water. This review will likely extend beyond autumn 2024. The board also considered potential items for the 2024/25 work programme, including a report on Get Me Home Safely for night-time economy workers and issues related to weed control and uneven pavements.

For more details, you can refer to the public reports pack and the printed minutes of the meeting.

Attendees

Profile image for Sue Holdsworth
Sue Holdsworth  Liberal Democrats •  Greetland and Stainland
Profile image for Helen Brundell
Helen Brundell  Labour •  Todmorden
Profile image for Israr Ahmed
Israr Ahmed  Labour •  Calder
Profile image for Stephanie Clarke
Stephanie Clarke  Labour •  Illingworth and Mixenden
Profile image for Regan Dickenson
Regan Dickenson  Conservative and Unionists Group •  Rastrick
Profile image for Peter Hunt
Peter Hunt  Conservative and Unionists Group •  Elland
Profile image for Katie Kimber
Katie Kimber  Labour •  Luddendenfoot
Profile image for Shane Taylor
Shane Taylor  Labour •  Illingworth and Mixenden
Profile image for Dan Wood
Dan Wood  Green Party •  Northowram and Shelf
Profile image for Danielle Durrans
Danielle Durrans  Cabinet Member, Public Services and Communities •  Labour •  Ovenden
Profile image for Scott Patient
Scott Patient  Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member, Climate Action and Housing •  Labour •  Luddendenfoot
Profile image for Jane Scullion
Jane Scullion  Leader of the Council and Labour Group •  Labour •  Luddendenfoot
Derek Benn
Lucy Bradwell
Shelagh O'Neill
Andrew Pitts
Adrian Gill
Karl Grocock
Ian Day
Sarah Richardson
Libby Whiley
Mark Moore
Profile image for Angie Gallagher
Angie Gallagher  Labour •  Elland