Consultation on council’s housing plan

Residents are being asked for their views on where new housing should be built and how tenancies should be managed.

Rotherham Council is currently developing a major new housing strategy and wants feedback from as many people as possible.

From June to September the authority is inviting all residents, whether property owners or tenants in both council or private housing, to either complete an on-line questionnaire or to attend one of two consultation events being held in Rotherham.

As part of the Government’s Localism Act, the authority is also having to consider a number of possible changes to the way council housing is allocated and how council tenancies are issued.

Coun Rose McNeely, Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods, urged everyone to take part.

She said: “Housing - and its provision - affects us all and what the authority does and how it provides housing in the future is a huge responsibility because it has such far reaching consequences.”

“That is why I would urge everyone to have their say. We need to get the new strategy right and so we have to get as many views and opinions from the widest range of people as possible.”

The draft strategy and the questionnaire are available to view on the council’s website at www.rotherham.gov.uk/housingstrategy

The consultation events will be held on Wednesday 11th July from 10am-1pm, and on Thursday 16th August, from 3-6pm, at the Springwell Gardens Community Centre, Eastwood View, Springwell Gardens.

The public can also make their views known by emailing [email protected] or via their local area assembly meeting.

The consultation period runs from June until August and the final documents, along with a housing strategy action plan and Rotherham housing intelligence report, will be published in November.

Anyone wanting more information can call 01709 334958 or email [email protected].