The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
1240/5(4884)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 2009
Question
"Before putting the options outlined in Chapter 5 of the Whitehead report out for consultation, will the Minister assure members that he will first outline his plans to address the underlying issues given in sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Summary Document, namely:
- All options need to address the key shortfall in funding of £2.5m per annum for day-to-day repairs and £5.0m per annum for planned maintenance and improvements"
- Significant gaps in the statistical evidence on projections of household numbers; -
The adequacy of evidence to determine potential tenure requirements;
Research into unmet housing need among lower income groups;
- Concerns over any decline in the scale of the social sector?"
Answer
As the Deputy knows the Whitehead Review is already out for consultation. That process started on 19th of this month and will last for at least 12 weeks.
I will not be making any firm decisions on what policy changes to propose to the States until that consultation process is complete and I have had an opportunity to consider the responses. In the final paragraph of the summary document Professor Whitehead says Implementing any significant change must involve fundamental decisions by the States on the role that they wish social housing to play, especially in the context of the Income Support system; on rent, allocations and security of tenure policies; and on the governance and financial arrangements under which social housing is provided.' I agree with that view entirely and as I say, shall only bring my recommendations for debate once the consultation process has been completed.