Category: Housing

Housing Reforms

18/8/2014

Today Debbie went out with Neil Carmichael, Conservative MP for Stroud to look at sites for new social housing in Cam. Debbie as Cabinet Member for Housing started the new Council House Building programme in 2009 with developments in Minchinhampton, Stroud and The Stanleys. Since then Government changes to way Council Housing is financed has meant that the Council can increase the number of houses it builds. Debbie as a member of the Housing Committee has been a strong supporter of new housing for local people which is why she and other Conservative Councillors are promoting a local lettings policy. Neil was excited about the prospect of additional housing for local people who need it and was pleased that Conservative Government policy was able to promote it.

Meeting with the Environment Agency

20/3/2014

After meeting with residents, Cllr Chas Fellows and Debbie, agreed to contact the Environment Agency to talk about flooding issues on both the canal and river.
The outcome of that initial contact was not promising, but a site visit was arranged for today. Together with representatives of the Cotswold Canal Partnership and Stroud District Council Chas, Debbie and the EA met to look at the problem.
"Walking the route and talking about the problem on site has identified some solutions to avoid homes flooding. Ensuring that water from the canal does not overtop into the river is key and there are measures that can be employed

Housing Developments

23/12/2013

Last week Debbie visited the Minchinhampton Woolaways site. This site has now finally been cleared and building will commence in the new year.
Debbie started the project to redevelop the 35 council houses which were falling down. An innovative deal with a developer has meant that the houses will be rebuilt with no cost to the Council.
Building work will take approximately 18 months and then council tenants will have brand new energy efficient homes. Debbie also visited similar sites at The Top of Town

2nd Neighbourhood Planning Meeting

20/11/2013

On Monday Debbie chaired the 2nd of Chalford Parish Council's consultation concerning Neighbourhood Planning.

Twice the number of people attended the meeting and there were several volunteers offering to take on some of the work.

"It has been really encouraging the number of people who have been coming out in really horrid weather to attend these meetings" said Debbie. "The Parish Clerk, Christine and the Assistant Clerk Jackie have done an admirable job in arranging these meeting and providing refreshments " she continued

Neighbourhood Planning in Chalford

10/11/2013

On Wednesday Debbie chaired a Neighbourhood Planning Meeting. This introduced the concept of neighbourhood planning to the local community. Neighbourhood Planning is about the community deciding what they want and where they want it, and this was the first of a series of three meetings to be held in the Parish.

Further meetings are on 18th November at the Methodist Hall and the 28th at the Youth Centre

Debbie said " This is a great opportunity for parishioners to have their say about development, rather than predatory developers imposing on the parish"

Services for Older People

10/11/2013

Debbie sits on the Board which is looking at services for older people. This means that support for older people which is currently only given to those in supported housing should be available for all.

This week she attended an Appreciative Enquiry whereby all those involved were encouraged to make positive comments about what is good and what can be improved.

Debbie is pictured here with her team, who developed George Pearce Mansions, a luxury older persons development which would certainly exceed the available budget. Back to reality and what could be achieved we decided that local schemes could raise money for a minibus and that it would it would be great if the council could buy mobility scooters for local residents to rent

Neighbourhood Planning Meeting

31/10/2013

Meetings are being planned throughout the Parish during November to seek views on whether the Parish should pursue a Neighbourhood Plan. Debbie was instrumental in getting central government funding to enable this consultation to take place.

Debbie attended a meeting today to discuss the agenda for the first meeting on the 6th November at Chalford Village Hall which she will chair. All are welcome to the meeting starting at 7pm

Community Bus

16/10/2013

As well as doing her normal surgery at the Frith Youth Centre today Debbie went on to working on the Community Bus.
There she talked to people concerned with the anti social behaviour of neighbours, the replacement of the bollards on Old Common, dog bins and the Small Claims Court.

"It was a really interesting mix of people who came out despite the appalling weather with a range of issues which I hope I have helped solve" said Debbie

New Build Programme

24/9/2013

Debbie today visited Ebley Mill to look at the latest plans for the new build council house programme. Debbie instigated the programme when she was the Cabinet Member for Housing and continues to support it through sitting on the project board for New Build and in Housing Committee.

Debbie said "I am very supportive of building more council housing, but will continue to question whether each proposal is value for money to tenants. Since self financing it is great that we now have the money to build properties but they need to be the right ones in the right places"

Meeting the Chancellor

13/9/2013

Debbie met with George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer last night.
She asked him whether he would consider increasing the debt cap of retained stock authorities such as Stroud.

This would allow more council houses to be built whilst continuing to improve the economy through construction. She was told that it was quite a technical question but would look at Stroud as an exception

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Debbie Young
Conservative Councillor