Present: John Ashby, Lesley Mavin, Pat Conway, Richard Hornby, Sierra Ward, Carole Lattin, John Hutchinson, Patrick Conway
- Apologies. Nicola Holt,
- Notes of the previous meeting agreed
- Application to Locality
- Noted, that following the announcement in late July that Locality had funding for 2023/24, the chairs and vice chairs of BPC and GRA met with John Ashby and Patrick Conway to prepare an application. Any monetary grant had to be spent by the end of the financial year.
- The submitted application in the name of Lesley Mavin chair of BPC, the relevant body, with Patrick Conway as the second named individual was in two parts. Firstly, an application for a £1123 general grant to cover costs of room hire, creation of a dedicated website and printing of a newsletter for distribution to all households in early 2024.
- Secondly an application for technical support to prepare a housing needs assessment (HNA) prior to the development of policies in respect of the housing theme.
- Following a successful Teams meeting with Locality, the general grant application was successful and after further administrative detail is provided BPC should receive the grant.
- Feedback from the Teams meeting advised a recommendation would be going to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLHC) supporting the application technical support for the housing needs assessment. Further confirmation is awaited. If successful, a housing specialist will be assigned to the to carry out the work.
- NP’s are eligible for general grants up to £10,000. However, subject to development of the Plan, it was considered prudent to await further developments so additional applications could be made in future years to assist with preparation of the draft plan and the necessary review stages.
- Housing
- A general discussion on the HNA covered evidence collected thus far on affordable housing, the needs of elderly residents and those with limited mobility. The issue of declining stock suitable for families as a consequence of HMO’s was noted. BPC will prepare a note on planning applications for HMO’s received since 2021, submissions by BPC to the planning authority, representations to the committee and the outcome of the applications
- The group agreed the HNA should include an assessment of need for Residential Care, Extra Care, Supported Living and Nursing Care including Specialist Care.
- Noted contact had been made with the Mark Prinn new Director of Durham Action on Single Housing and Kepier Homes (DASH). Patrick Conway will arrange a full briefing on the NP for Mark Prinn. Once a date has been set Richard Hornby and John Hutchinson will be notified in case they can attend.
- Googledoc
- Richard Hornby will circulate detail on accessing the factual report. Those present agreed to input narrative about features and facilities of which they had knowledge.
- Next meeting
Thursday 19 October 5pm venue to be confirmed. The meeting will concentrate on finalising, as far as possible, the Googledoc narrative