Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report provides a summary of the progress made against the Living Well at Home work stream of the Happy, Healthy Homes to Age Well Prospectus launched in February 2019.

The report outlines what we have learnt so far with a particular focus around the findings of the Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) which was completed in December 2019 and the mapping exercises that were undertaken to identify existing and future housing need for Older People in the Borough.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the progress made against the Ageing Well agenda and the findings of the HNA 2019.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 474 4319 or email: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of the progress made against the Living Well at Home work stream of the Happy, Healthy Homes to Age Well Prospectus that was launched in February 2019.  The report outlined what head been learnt so far with a particular focus around the findings of the Housing Needs Assessment which was completed in December 2019 and the mapping exercises that were undertaken to identify existing and future housing need for Older People in the Borough.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was important that new homes were built in places that had ready access to local amenities and facilities in order that they remained sustainable for future occupants into older age.

·         The pricing of new units was a key consideration to ensure that quality homes were available for all regardless of income.

·         It was noted that there were a large number of over-65s who struggled to afford to downsize their property.  It was suggested that consideration should be given by the government to removing the requirement to pay stamp duty for those in such circumstances.

·         The proposed development of 53 self-contained apartments providing a mixture of high quality affordable/ social rent and shared ownership units that would be designed to meet the needs of older people, and in accordance with extra care principles at Edinburgh Close, Cheadle was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.