Affordable Housing

Speech by Proposed by Bob Smith: Seconded by David Whitcroft delivered to Surrey Heath Borough Council on Wed 19th Apr 2006

This Council: notes with dismay the recent report by the Audit Commission on Surrey Heath's performance on Affordable Housing (published 9th February) which rated the service as "poor with poor prospects for improvement"

· Recognises that Affordable Housing has not received the priority it deserves in terms of funding, management attention or corporate focus

· Acknowledges that a continuation of the current approach will damage the local economy, impede public service provision and fail the less advantaged members of our community

Therefore resolves as follows:

1. To recognise Affordable Housing provision as a key corporate priority, and to documented in the Corporate Plan

2. To redirect funding to this area as appropriate to its status as a corporate priority, as part of the 2006/2007 budget cycle

3. To request the Executive to provide a detailed response to the Audit Commission report to Members for discussion as an agenda item at its meeting on 19th July, 2006, together with a preliminary plan for action