Agenda and minutes

Proposed by Councillor Enda Stenson, seconded by Councillor Paddy O’Rourke, and UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

“That the Minutes of the Housing Policy, Social and Cultural Development Strategic Policy Committee meeting held on 18^th May 2022 be adopted.”

Ms Mary Quinn provided the members with an update on the latest Housing information for Leitrim as follows:

·       To date, housing grant payments of €563 have been paid to applicants. The Department allocation to Leitrim for Housing grants in 2022 is €677K. Further additional funding has been sought from the Department to meet the shortfall that exists due to the volume of grants that have been approved this year.

·       The Department recently issued a call to Local Authorities for comments and views on the Housing Grant Scheme and based on the feedback it is anticipated that there will be an increase in the grant allocation

·       The Department have not yet issued the revised Tenant Purchase Guidelines. The Housing Section is considering what properties will be excluded from Tenant Purchase once the scheme is introduced.

·       A mid-term review of the Traveller Accommodation Programme is complete. No amendments to the programme are required. The review will be brought before the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee in the coming week.

·       The Chief Executive and the Director of Housing will attend a Housing Summit in October.

Cllr Padraig Fallon expressed his disappointment that a delay still exists with the issuing of the Tenant Purchase Guidelines. Cllr Fallon queried if it was possible to give an indication of the shortfall in the Housing Grant allocation. He noted that he is aware of persons that have submitted grant applications and have yet to receive a response on the success or otherwise of their application.

Cllr Paddy O’Rourke queried if there had been a short term suspension of any of the Housing Grant Schemes. He also queried if any review of funding had been carried out by the Department in the context of increased building costs.

Ms Mary Quinn responded to the members queries as follows:

·       Approximately €140k of additional funding has been sought from the Department due to the volume of grants approved.

·       Difficulties with any Housing Grant application should be raised with the Housing team.

·       Members will be advised as soon as the Tenant Purchase Guidelines are received from the Department

·       Housing Grants have not been suspended, but the schemes are being kept under review

·       A ministerial direction has not been issued in respect of the affect that increased building costs are having on housing grants. Internally, Leitrim County Council have revised the unit costs to reflect material costs and market conditions.

Justin Fannon delivered a presentation to the members on the Strategic Plan for Housing Disabled People 2021 - 2026.  The presentation, as delivered to the members, appears as Appendix 1 to the minutes of the meeting.

Cllr. Enda Stenson queried if there was any progress with the provision of respite housing at the HSE site in Summerhill as sought by the Friends of St. Ciaran’s group.

Cllr Paddy O’Rourke said he understood that properties in Sligo will be made available as respite units until such time as the properties in Summerhill are built by the HSE.

Cllr Sean McDermott queried if there was an update regarding the Special Needs Housing unit in Manorhamilton.

Justin Fannon responded to the members queries as follows:

·       The HSE have identified suitable land behind the community hospital in Carrick-on-Shannon for the respite housing units. The HSE Facilities Team have prepared a scope of works for the project, and this is now progressing through the internal procedures and processes of the HSE. Should the scope of works be approved, the project will then progress to the design stage. The HSE have given an estimated timeline of 4 years to bring the project to fruition.

·       It is the intention of the HSE that the identified properties in Sligo are used as respite units until the units are delivered in Carrick-on-Shannon.

·       An initial draft of the design for the Special Needs Housing Unit in Manorhamilton has been prepared by the developer.  Engagement continues between Newgrove Housing and the developer on finalising the design and detail of the Special Needs Housing Unit.

Philip Delamere, Arts Officer, delivered a presentation to the members on the on-going preparation and development of the Leitrim Arts Plan 2023-2028 and the development of the Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023-2028.  The presentation, as delivered to the members, appears as Appendix 2 to the minutes of the meeting.

Cllr Sean McDermott queried if a greater focus could be placed on engaging with the diaspora.  In reply, Philip Delamere outlined that this focus already exists and through ongoing engagement with the diaspora pathways are provided for artists to develop their careers abroad and to new audiences.

Ms Mary Quinn summarised the items from this meeting and outlined that in keeping with normal procedures, a report from this Strategic Policy Committee will be prepared for presentation at the next meeting of the Corporate Policy Group and plenary Council.

Mr. Graham Martin from Threshold jointed the meeting at this point and delivered a presentation to the members on the services that Threshold deliver and how they assist and support persons in the housing rental sector. The presentation, as delivered to the members, appears as Appendix 3 to the minutes of the meeting.

Mr Kieran Brett advised the members that the next meeting of the Housing Community and Culture SPC will take place at 10 am on Wednesday 30^th November 2022.