The Economy and Housing Policy Committee met on 16 September 2025, to discuss a range of issues including tourism, housing development, homelessness, and housing compliance. The committee reviewed a baseline report and outline recommendations for the Winchester District Tourism Strategy 2026-2030, heard a presentation on the Housing Development Strategy, and reviewed proposals for preventing homelessness and rough sleeping, as well as housing compliance policies. The committee did not make any decisions at this meeting, but instead provided feedback on the various reports and strategies.

Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030

The committee reviewed and commented on the draft Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030, ahead of its consideration by the Cabinet Committee (Housing) in November. The strategy sets out the council's approach to tackling homelessness and supporting vulnerable members of the community, with a vision of ensuring everyone at risk has early access to the right support and a safe, sustainable home. The strategy identifies four clear priorities:

• Making homelessness everyone's priority through a partnership-wide approach.
• Preventing and responding to homelessness through early intervention and personalised solutions.
• Meeting the complex and unique needs of customers by preventing rough sleeping and repeat homelessness.
• Developing sustainable, supported, and settled housing solutions.

The draft strategy recognises that homelessness is rarely the result of a single factor, but often driven by a combination of personal, structural, and systemic issues including poverty, mental health challenges, domestic abuse, relationship breakdown, and a shortage of affordable housing.

The report notes that the council has been awarded Homelessness Prevention Grant funding of £781,643 for 2025/26, and a further £96,000 as part of the Rough Sleepers Initiative¹.

Housing Compliance Policies

The committee reviewed and commented on the proposals within the draft report on housing compliance policies, which will be considered by the Cabinet Committee (Housing) in November. The six compliance policies have been developed to comply with the Regulator of Social Housing's consumer standards and in support of the housing procurement of the HRA Council Housing Repair, Maintenance and Compliance Activities Contract. Pennington's Choice, a property and surveying consultancy, was commissioned to develop the six compliance policies:

• Fire Safety Policy
• Gas and Heating Policy
• Electrical Safety Policy
• Asbestos Policy
• Water Hygiene Policy
• Lift Safety Policy

The aim of the policies is to provide assurance that senior management, housing staff, partner contractors and tenants are clear on the council's housing landlord legal and regulatory safety obligations. The report notes that the landscape of housing property compliance continues to evolve rapidly, driven by legislative reform, heightened safety expectations and a renewed focus on resident safety. Recent legislation mentioned in the report includes Awaab's Law, introduced under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023², which mandates that social landlords address emergency hazards including damp and mould within strict timeframes.

Winchester District Tourism Strategy 2026-2030

The committee reviewed the baseline report and outline recommendations for the Winchester District Tourism Strategy 2026-2030. Blue Sail has been commissioned to develop the new tourism strategy for the district, which will identify opportunities to grow the tourism sector sustainably and inclusively over the next ten years. The strategy will recognise what the district has now, what can be developed, what needs to be done, and shared outcomes.

The baseline report includes a SWOT analysis³ of Winchester District's visitor economy performance, an assessment of assets and gaps, challenges and external trends, and a market assessment of perceptions and competitors. The consultants engaged with businesses and visitors to help inform the strategy. Priorities for businesses include more collaborative marketing opportunities, a coherent visitor offer, younger visitor markets, an evening offer, inclusive and accessible tourism leadership, easier movement around the district and city, and more visitor accommodation.

The emerging vision for the tourism strategy is of a vibrant, high-quality, and inclusive destination, supported by valued collaboration through the Visit Winchester team. Key elements could include sustainable growth, confident and bold marketing, improved visitor experience, and partnerships and collaboration.

Housing Development Strategy

The committee noted the contents of the presentation on the Housing Development Strategy and sought the views of the committee. The current Housing Development Strategy needs updating, with the priority focus of the updated strategy being the delivery of additional affordable housing throughout the Winchester District. This will be achieved by investing in new council homes to meet the 1,000 homes target, and supporting other Affordable Housing Providers to invest in the District.

The presentation outlined where homes will be built, what homes will be built, and delivery mechanisms. Consultation will be undertaken throughout the strategy drafting process with council members and officers, external stakeholders, and the public. Cabinet approval is to be sought on 19 November 2025, alongside HRA budget options paper.

Public Participation

Mr Ian Tait addressed the committee at the previous meeting held on 2 July 2025, regarding Ring doorbells and similar devices within the communal areas of council-owned properties.