Minutes of Trossachs Area Network Meeting held on 20th August 2008.

Present:

            Community Representatives

John Epps, Strathard

Dick Johnston, Callander

Geraint Short, Strathard

Also Present:

Tony Cain, Stirling Council

Lesley Campbell, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority

Owen McKee, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority

Tim Messer, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority

Margaret Murray, Stirling Council

Tony Teasdale, Rural Stirling Housing Association

Councillor Fergus Wood, Stirling Council

Apologies:

Barbara Allan, Stirling Council

David Cameron, Stirling Council

Margaret McKechnie, Stirling Council

1.       RURAL HOUSING

Tony Cain, Head of Housing Services, Stirling Council gave a presentation on meeting housing needs in Stirling’s rural communities, a key priority identified within Trossachs Area Network’s Area Plan.

During the presentation the following information was provided:

Housing Need and Pressure in Rural Areas:

 

• 33% of Stirling’s population lived in “accessible” rural areas

   

• 5%lived in “remote” rural areas

   

• Council stock – 790 houses

   

• Registered Local Landlords stock – 397

   

• Waiting List – 1,100

   

• Circa 83 lets per annum

   

Rural Homelessness:

• Circa 100 applications per year received from rural areas

   

• .9% of the population (3.8% for Stirling)

   

• Loss of private rented accommodation is the biggest cause of homelessness

   

• Around 30% of Council lets go to homeless applicants (approx.52% for Stirling as a whole)

   

• There was limited availability of temporary accommodation

   

Other Housing Issues:

• Fuel Poverty – Lower incomes, harder to heat houses, gas availability.

   

• Housing Condition – older houses, private water supplies and lead pipes, high levels of disrepair, housing to meet particular needs

   

Meeting Housing Need:

• Pressured area status

   

• Rural Stirling Housing Association (RSHA) development programme

   

• Fuel poverty strategy

   

• Council housing investment programme

   

• Council house building

   

• Private sector housing grants

   

Pressured area status would suspend the “Right to Buy” Stirling Council and RSHA properties for a period of five years.   Stirling Council was working closely with RSHA and others, and with Planning Officers over potential housing development sites.  The Council was actively considering how to re-engage in house building and, depending on the current impact on house sales, could be in a position to release funding next year.

The next few years would be challenging for the Council with increased homeless cases coming through and higher unemployment.  There was also the issue of how to tie in planning policies with new affordable housing.  Housing Options Officers were being employed to ensure people did not lose their accommodation and/or help people to move on in a planned way.  Initially, the focus would be on new housing applications and the private rented sector and information used to identify and work with private tenants.

It was confirmed that Stirling Council undertook analysis of its waiting list.  SRHAs waiting list was held differently from the Council and while people would generally prefer a larger property the majority of applications were for a one-bedroom property.  In response to how the proposed policy change from Council Tax to Local Income Tax would impact on people, it was reported that some people would benefit, however, it was too early to predict.  Also, the majority of Council houses were placed in the lower band ranges, A or B.  There was acknowledgement that the broader fuel poverty strategy should link with the gaps in the Housing Strategy.  Information was also provided on funding repair grants and house adaptations.

With regard to the Government Scheme, which assisted people in financial difficulty to stay in their homes, it was reported that the Council was seeing an increase in applications. 

In response to a question, it was intimated that there would be no reason why smaller villages could not be considered for new affordable housing development.  There could however be practicalities around remoteness, cost and the environmental impact, for example, the carbon footfall if it was necessary to drive to a shop and maintenance and ongoing costs associated with septic tanks.  It was noted that affordable housing required be built within parameters and consideration given to what would be allowed in conjunction with building regulations.  Developments subject to Government grants would also be subject to a number of issues.  With regard to planning gain, it was explained that this would always be a contentious issue, no matter the location of the build.

Whilst most communities supported the need for affordable housing, specific/contentious development issues usually needed resolved.  There was recognition that Community Councils generally took a balanced approach to development and were helpful in establishing issues.

It was suggested that the owners of known empty private properties be contacted with a view to discussing how they could be brought back into use.  As there was little awareness about how the housing system worked, including private sector regulation and legislation, it was suggested that this could be a focus area for the Network given the low turnout at the meeting.  It was agreed that a letter be sent to representatives inviting comments on the format and content of Network meetings and how they thought meetings could be improved.

In conclusion, Tony Cain advised that he would be happy to attend individual Community Council meetings to discuss housing as and when required.

2    AOCB

Councillor Fergus Wood advised that:

·         the Council was considering twinning Callander with Stirling, Ontario, an agricultural community, that hoped to visit next year; and Doune possibly twinning with Trim, Ireland;

·         the STRAP partnership had opened up across Ward 1.  Bailie Lambie would be representing the Council at the Portadown Festival, which along with two other areas was linked to STRAP.  It was hoped to attract European and other members to projects.  One project involving 10 companies from three areas had undertaken the development of a business website for small companies;

·         Nova Scotia delegates hoped to hold a trade fair in May, when they would be based here for a week.

·         that a delegation from Galway (a city and a rural group) would be visiting in January and housing could be considered as an issue for discussion.

The meeting closed at 9.40 pm