The council has been active this week with two significant meetings. Here’s a summary of the discussions and decisions made:

West Devon Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 25 June 2024

The West Devon Overview and Scrutiny Committee focused on two key areas: the council’s performance and resources, and the customer experience.

Performance and Resources

The committee reviewed the Thematic Update Performance and Resources, which highlighted improvements in the collection of council tax and business rates. Collection rates have exceeded targets, which is a positive sign for the council’s financial health.

However, the use of temporary accommodation for housing assistance was a concern. Members discussed the high costs and unsuitability of bed and breakfast accommodation, especially for families:

Members discussed the need to reduce the use of temporary accommodation, particularly bed and breakfast accommodation, which can be more expensive and less suitable for families.

The council acknowledged the ongoing challenge of finding suitable long-term accommodation for those ready to leave temporary housing.

Customer Experience

The focus then shifted to the Thematic Update Customer Experience Accessibility. Discussions centred on improving accessibility for people with disabilities. The council is committed to making services accessible and has been working on enhancing the accessibility of their website and buildings. Plans to improve communication with customers with disabilities and provide staff training on disability awareness were also discussed.

South Hams Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 27 June 2024

This meeting included a thematic update on housing and a discussion on the committee’s annual work programme.

Housing Thematic Update

The committee reviewed the current state of housing in South Hams, revealing a significant need for social housing. There are currently 1,745 households on the housing register, with 230 in the Totnes area alone. A rise in homelessness since 2018/19 has exacerbated the situation:

A lack of social housing or alternative accommodation options within the district, coupled with a significant rise in the number of households approaching the Council as homeless has resulted in an increased reliance on temporary accommodation, including accommodation outside of the district.

The private rented sector also poses challenges, with median rents now higher than salaries. The disparity between wages and rental costs has been driven by the high number of second homes in the district:

Holiday lets and second homes are considered to be a major factor in the unaffordability of housing in the District.

Nationally, 1.2% of homes are second homes or holiday lets, whereas in South Hams, that figure is 8.7%. In areas like Salcombe and Thurlestone, it’s as high as 29.6%.

The committee resolved to refer the Housing Thematic Update to the Executive and recommended that the next iteration of the South Hams Design Guide consider the local climate, particularly focusing on energy efficiency standards for new homes.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Work Programme

Following the housing discussion, the committee decided to add the second homes policy to their annual work programme.

These discussions and decisions highlight the council’s ongoing efforts to address housing challenges and improve service accessibility.

For further details, you can access the full transcripts of the meetings through the provided links.