Tuesday August 4th 2020
Midlothian Council is currently working on a draft Local Housing Strategy (LHS) to cover the period 2020 to 2025 and wants to hear ideas and suggestions from local residents.
As Scotland’s fastest growing area housing is always a hot topic in Midlothian so this consultation gives residents another chance to give their views to the council and shape the strategy going forward.
All Local Authorities have to provide a Local Housing Strategy. This is a five year strategic document which sets out the council’s plans to improve housing and housing provision in the area.
The draft LHS is at a very early stage so for the moment the council just needs ideas and suggestions on the following areas:
– Place Making and Communities
– Homelessness
– Specialist Housing Provision
– Fuel Poverty
– Energy Efficiency and Climate Change
– House Condition
All comments and suggestions submitted will be added to the draft LHS which will be viewed by local councillors in October 2020. Following that the draft LHS will require further consultation and feedback before the document is finalised and returned to elected members for consideration at the end of the year.
The Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) have asked that the Place Principle is used when writing the Local Housing Strategy. The Place Principle aims to encourage community involvement, break down boundaries and improve the resources and investment within Scotland. Respondents are asked to consider the Place Principle when submitting their ideas by thinking about the following:
– How can services and local communities work together on these issues to improve Midlothian’s towns and villages?
– How are resources, services and assets currently directed and how are they used by local communities?
– How should resources, services and assets be directed to improve Midlothian’s towns and villages?
Cllr Stephen Curran, Cabinet Member for Midlothian Housing said:
“I would encourage all Midlothian residents to take part in this consultation. Your feedback is valuable and essential to us for developing the draft Local Housing Strategy.”
The survey can be completed online on the consultations page of the Midlothian Council website at www.midlothian.gov.uk/consultations. Anyone who is unable to access the online survey and would like a paper copy can request one by emailing: housing.enquiries@midlothian.gov.uk
The council have also organised Online Microsoft Teams sessions for people who want to contribute to the consultation process. These will last half an hour and be run on the following dates:
Friday 14 August, 1pm
Tuesday 18 August, 10am
Wednesday 19 August, 11am
Thursday 20 August, 12 noon
If you think you may want to participate in these sessions then email lesley.connell@midlothian.gov.uk
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