Commentary on Sections Part 3 – Repeals of Welsh Legislation Part 3 – Housing action trusts
128.Part 3 of the Housing Act 1988 (‘the 1988 Act’) makes provision about ‘housing action trust areas’. These are areas where the Welsh Ministers (or in England, the Secretary of State) consider that living conditions of local residents, social conditions and general environment could be improved by the creation of a housing action trust. Between 1991 and 1994 six areas were designated housing action trust areas, all of which were in England. No housing action trust areas have been designated in Wales.
129.Such a trust could be designated as the local planning authority in its area (under section 8 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990). None of the trusts were designated a local planning authority. All of the trusts established for areas in England were wound up at various dates between 1999 and 2005.
130.Paragraph 7 of this Schedule to the Act amends Part 3 of the 1988 Act so that it does not apply in relation to Wales. This will mean that housing action trusts can only be established for, and exercise functions in, areas in England. In consequence of the proposed changes to the 1988 Act, amendments are required to various other Acts.