Contact: Stuart Roberts, ext 6782 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the District-level housing figures be published as a basis for public consultation.

(ii) That the proposed approach to public consultation set out in the report be endorsed.

1.2 The South East England Regional Assembly has commissioned the Principal Authorities (counties and unitary councils), working closely with their district councils, to formulate district-level housing targets for inclusion in the South East Plan. The district-level figures must sum to the sub-regional and county totals agreed at the Assembly meeting on 13 July. The figures are to be submitted to the Assembly by 9 December 2005 after a minimum six week period of public consultation. This report sets out the proposed figures. It proposes that the public consultation should focus on maximising public awareness of the proposals and encouraging as many organisations and individuals as possible to respond to the consultation. The County Council would conduct a set of core consultation activities (publishing the consultation document; holding events for targeted stakeholders; publishing a questionnaire; issuing press releases; posting information on Hantsweb; and publishing a special edition of 'Hampshire Now') to which district councils and other organisations could add their own complementary events/initiatives.

1.3 The Environment Policy Review Committee considered this item on 22 July 2005 and Members' comments will be reported orally at the meeting.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 2 of the Corporate Strategy (Stewardship of the Environment) by safeguarding Hampshire's natural and built environment whilst providing enough housing for the growing number of separate households.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Taking no action.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................

Councillor T K Thornber

425/SR Decn