Archive for year: 2015

Here at the Parish Council we are often quizzed on the differences between Social and Affordable Housing and what they mean.  Hopefully the below will help clear up any questions:

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Affordable housing is social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Eligibility is determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices. From April 2012 affordable housing is defined in the National Planning Policy Framework (prior to this the definitions in Planning Policy Statement 3 apply).

Affordable housing should include provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households or for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision.

Affordable rented housing is let by local authorities or private registered providers of social housing to households who are eligible for social rented housing. Affordable Rent is subject to rent controls that require a rent of no more than 80 per cent of the local market rent (including service charges, where applicable).

SOCIAL HOUSING

Social rented housing is owned by local authorities and private registered providers (as defined in section 80 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008), for which guideline target rents are determined through the national rent regime. It may also be owned by other persons and provided under equivalent rental arrangements to the above, as agreed with the local authority or with the Homes and Communities Agency.

INTERMEDIATE HOUSING

Intermediate housing is homes for sale and rent provided at a cost above social rent, but below market levels subject to the criteria in the Affordable Housing definition above. These can include shared equity (shared ownership and equity loans), other low cost homes for sale and intermediate rent, but not affordable rented housing. Homes that do not meet the above definition of affordable housing, such as ‘low cost market’ housing, may not be considered as affordable housing for planning purposes.

Each month, the neighbourhood team at Solihull Council publish a newsletter.  This reports on what partners in each of the rural areas are getting up to.  It lets you know local projects, improtant contact details and police contacts.  Have a look through at your leisure.

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Congratulations go to Hockley Heath Gardening Club.  They have received 4th prize in the Solihull Neighbourhoods in Bloom 2015 competition in the Best Village Category.

Carol Clark from HHGC received the certificate and presentation gardening trowels at the last meeting of the Environment Group.

Hockley Heath Gardening Club is manned entirely by volunteers and they keep the village looking great with planting displays in borders and planters along the Stratford Road.

If anyone would like to join the club, please email them at hhgardenclub@gmail.com

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We have all seen fly tipping along our roads and verges.  This is illegal and offenders can be presecuted.  If you see incidents of fly tipping in and around Hockley Heath, please contact the Solihull Contact Centre on 0121 704 8004.

With the help of your vigilence and SMBC action, we will be able to keep our parish clean.

Thank you

 

 

Hockley Heath Parish Council meetings are open to all residents, interested parties and the press.  However, the number of people attending recent meetings has  dropped.  This matter was discussed in September and Members took the decision to change the start time of the meetings in order to make them more accessible.  As a result, with effect from the 15th October 2015, monthly meetings will now start at 7pm at the Pavilion, Hockley Heath Recreation Ground.