Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

The Committee considered the Empty Homes Strategy 2025-30 and made comments and recommendations to Cabinet. It said it was content with the strategy, but asked for a more ambitious target and a progress report next year. It also reviewed its work programme and the responses to its earlier recommendations.

1. Empty Homes Strategy 2025-30

   Decided

   The Committee was content with the strategy. It recommended a more ambitious target for reducing empty homes and that the strategy report on progress next year. It accepted that these partners are not obliged to share this information.

   Why

   The strategy aims to reduce the number of homes left unoccupied in Newport. Newport had 2,434 empty addresses in July 2024, or 3.4% of its housing stock, and the strategy widens the focus beyond the Welsh Government measure PAM/013, which counts long-term empty private homes. A council tax premium, which is an extra charge, of 100% has applied to long-term empty homes since April 2024.

   Based on the minutes, Item 4.1 - Empty Homes Strategy 2025-30, Item 4 - EHS CR 2

2. Scrutiny work programme and outcomes monitoring

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The Scrutiny Adviser said the outstanding actions are the longer-term ones, which was expected, and that some will be chased after the meeting.

   Based on the minutes, Item 5 - Scrutiny Advisor Report, Item 5.2 - Outcomes Summary

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   None.

2. 3

   Minutes of the Previous Meeting

   Minute

   The minutes of the previous meetings held 11 September 2025 were agreed as a true and accurate record. • The Committee requested an update on Llais using bi-lingual literature. Councillor Harris informed the Committee that they have contacted Llais’ National Office and are awaiting a response. • The Committee requested an update on the written response from the Strategic Director Transformation and Corporate on the recommendations for the Community Parenting Strategy not being implemented ahead of the report going to Cabinet. The Scrutiny Adviser assured Committee that they would follow up on this.

   Papers: OSMC Draft Minutes 11.09.25
3. 4

   Empty Homes Strategy 2025-30

   Minute

   The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning introduced the report, and the Housing Strategy and Enabling Manager presented the report to the Committee. Members questioned the Officers and the Cabinet Member on the content of the report – to access a full recording of the comments made please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel: NCC Democratic meetings / Cyfarfodydd democrataidd - YouTube Comments and Recommendations: • The Committee thanked the Registered Social Landlord (RSL) partners for attending and engaging with Committee. • The Committee requested information on national best practice examples seen and used in the creation of this Strategy and for future improvements. • The Committee recommend a more ambitious target for the reduction of empty homes. • The Committee requested information on comparable local authority’s targets for the reduction of empty homes. • The Committee recommended that the strategy return to report on progress next year. They requested that this update include information on speed of progress on returning homes into use, how best good practice has been applied and what new best good practice has been found. • The Committee were content with the strategy. • Whilst acknowledging that the RSL partners are not obliged to share this information, the Committee requested more information on how grant monies are spent by RSL partners.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Item 4.1 - Empty Homes Strategy 2025-30, Item 4 - EHS CR 2
4. 5

   Scrutiny Adviser Reports

   Minute

   a. Forward Work Programme Update The Scrutiny Adviser updated the Committee on the work programme. b. Outcomes Monitoring The Scrutiny Adviser presented the summary report. They reassured the Committee that the outstanding actions are the more long-term actions so this is expected but there are some outstanding actions that will be chased after this meeting.

   Papers: Item 5 - Scrutiny Advisor Report, Item 5.2 - FWP, Item 5.2 - Outcomes Summary
5. 6

   Live Event

   Minute

   Please click here to watch the recording.

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

The minutes record no declarations of interest.

• Phil Hourahine, ChairLabourPresent
• Bev Davies, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Debbie Jenkins, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• John Harris, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Lauren James, Committee MemberGreenAbsent
• Malcolm Linton, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Matthew Evans MBE, Committee MemberConservativePresent
• Pat Drewett, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Stephen Cocks, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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