Agenda and minutes

(Head of Research and Democratic Services)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Panel noted that there were no substitute members.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a personal or a prejudicial interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

The Panel noted that there were no declarations of interest.

Attached.

The minutes of the last meeting were noted. The Head of Housing Services reported to the Panel that the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2006 had been signed off by the Housing Portfolio Holder incorporating the Housing Scrutiny Panel’s comments.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed the Terms of Reference of this Panel and associated Work Programme. This is attached. The Panel are asked at each meeting to review both documents.

Noted that the item on the Housing Service Strategy on the Private Rented Sector (item 4 on the work programme) will now go to the October meeting. The Housing Harassment Strategy is to be added to the work programme, as it was to be covered at this meeting.

Further information on item 12 of the work programme ‘Implementation of Choice Based Lettings’, relating to the proposed specification of the Choice Based Lettings Service should be ready in early September and a special meeting should be arranged for this item in September.

            RESOLVED:

That a Special meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Standing Panel be arranged for Monday 11 September 2006 starting at 5.30 p.m.

Councillor Stallan reported that in the last municipal year Councillor Mrs Whitehouse had requested a review of the Handypersons scheme, which had been agreed by the previous Portfolio Holder. Councillor Stallan had recently raised this issue with the Task and Finish Panel on Older Services, but that Panel had said that it was unable to undertake a review. However, it was understood that Councillor Mrs Whitehouse had recently indicated that she may not now wish this review to be carried out. The Chairman left it with Councillor Mrs Whitehouse to pursue the matter if she still wanted the review to take place. If so, it was noted that she would have to make a formal request to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to see if this extra piece of work could be taken on by a panel, and if agreed, the Committee would have to decide to which Panel it would go to.

To consider the attached Housing Ethnic Monitoring report.

The Head of Housing Services introduced a report on the Ethnic Monitoring of the ethnicity of applicants on the Housing Register, compared with the ethnicity of those allocated accommodation. The reason for the review is to identify whether or not there are any indications that suggest the Council may be discriminating against any one ethnic group.

 It was noted that although around 15.2% of housing applicants do not disclose their ethnicity, it is evident from the analyses shown in the report that the ethnic make up of the Housing Register mirrors the allocation of vacancies sufficiently for the Council to be confident that its Allocation Scheme does not racially discriminate, either directly or indirectly.  Therefore, no adjustments to the Allocation Scheme were recommended.

            RESOLVED:

1.             That no recommendations be made concerning amendments to the Council’s Allocations Scheme as current figures do not show a significant disparity between the ethnicity of applicants in housing need in the District and those allocated accommodation through the Housing Register; and

2.             That, in future years, in accordance with the recommendations arising from the Race and Diversity Impact Assessments within Housing Services, the ethnicity of applicants offered sheltered accommodation be monitored and reported separately.

To consider the attached revised draft Private Sector Housing Strategy.

The Principal Team Leader from Environmental Services introduced the report on the Private Sector Housing Strategy. The draft Strategy will lead to substantial changes in the enforcement of private sector housing standards and the arrangements for giving financial assistance to promote the repair and improvement of sub-standard private sector housing. 

Until the Regulatory Reform Order 2002, the Government set very clear rules, which governed the way that local authorities could give financial help.  With effect from July 2003, the Order set aside these rules and gave local authorities much greater freedom to offer financial assistance in ways that reflect local needs, circumstances and resources.  To do this, however, a local authority had to prepare a Private Sector Housing Strategy and Renewal Policy, which looked at evidence of local circumstances and linked local priorities with national, regional and other local strategies. 

In 2005, a general House Condition Survey was carried out which provided a substantial amount of information on the condition of local private sector housing stock.  In addition, an additional survey of empty homes was carried out.  With the benefit of up to date local information, and in the light of the significant changes introduced by the Housing Act 2004, the pressure to tackle decent homes and national trend towards introducing private sector finance, a fundamental review of the Strategy had become necessary.

It was noted that:

• For the medium term move from giving grants to equity release, negotiations will be required with a specialist not for profit financial provider and it is hoped that the system will be organised in conjunction with other local authority partners;
• the Disabled Facilities Grant would be raised from £300k to £500k for 2006/07;
• GO-East has confirmed that a capital grant of £447k targeted at improving non-decent private sector properties will be made available for 2006/07, with a further £223k for 2007/08. Any of these additional funds not spent can be rolled into future years provided there is a plan in place showing how they are to be spent, and a commitment to deliver the plan;
• It is anticipated that the spend over the next two years will total £2,129k;
• Existing staffing resources are not adequate and should be increased by 1.5 FTE and a specialist consultant is needed for which £20k had been initially allocated.

The Panel wanted to know if the £20k set aside was enough to provide the services of a consultant. The Principal Team Leader from Environmental Services said that they were not sure if it was enough but they hoped to form partnerships with another local Council, which would help with the costs. The consultant (in consultation with other Local Authorities) in turn would help the council chose the best Equity Release mechanisms to use in conjunction with the strategy.

Councillor Mrs Whitehouse wondered if would be possible to introduce the householders to the current Essex Savers scheme currently operating.

Councillor Borton wondered how EFDC selected the houses that were in need of rejuvenation? It was explained that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider that attached Empty Property Strategy report.

The Principal Team Leader from Environmental Services introduced the draft Empty Property Strategy, explaining that they were seeking approval in principle for the draft strategy. She explained that the money secured by the GO-East bid was not required to be paid back, but that the new proposed grant will have to be repaid if the owners of the empty properties sells up within a certain time period. The maximum eligible expense will be £10,000 with landlords only qualifying for a maximum of 50%.

Councillor Wyatt asked if these were rented out to council tenants, would it be a secure tenancy. He was told that only Local Authorities could provide secure tenancies. Councillor Wyatt also asked if any safeguards could be put in place to stop landlords receiving more than one grant per property. The Principal Team Leader said that some sort safeguards could be put into place, requiring the landlord to put the property back into use and to take council nominated tenants and restrict the payment of £1,000 Finders Fee per property on a once only basis.

Councillor Mrs Whitehouse wanted to know what sort of tenancy agreement would they have and would EFDC have an oversight. The Head of Housing Services said that the landlord would provide an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, and they would not be council tenants, but would be taken of the housing applicants list. The Council rent officer would set the rate.

Councillor Stallan welcomed the strategy but asked why the extra (0.5 FTE) was needed. The Head of Environmental Services replied that it was complicated and they may have to produce a fuller report to make a case for the extra staff asked for. The need for extra resources across private sector housing is not only due to the changes in the law but is also a catch up exercise where the Council has not delivered a private sector enforcement service in the past.  

Councillor Mrs Whitehouse asked that a follow up report be provided to the Panel six months after the scheme had started. It was agreed that a follow up report would come to the panel in October 2007.

            AGREED:

1)                 Officers to add in safeguards into the report that goes to Cabinet to stop landlords receiving more than one grant per property; and

2)                 That the Panel receive a follow up report in October 2007.

RESOLVED:

(1)               The Panel agrees to recommend to Cabinet that the draft Empty Property Strategy (with additional safeguards) should be adopted as Council policy;

(2)               The Panel recommends to Cabinet to increase the establishment by 0.5 FTE in order to deliver this Strategy at a cost of £20,657; and

(3)               The Panel recommends to Cabinet that a CSB growth of £5000 for 2007/8 be made to fund the Finders Fee Scheme for five properties per annum.

To consider the attached report and attachment on the Housing Harassment strategy.

The Head of Housing Services introduced a report on the Housing Services Strategy on Harassment. The Housing Scrutiny Standing Panel was asked to consider the strategy and provide any comments to the Housing Portfolio Holder. It was noted that the Tenants and Leaseholder Federation and the Anti Social Behaviour Violent Crime and Tasking Group are also to be consulted on this strategy.

It was noted that Housing Services condemns all forms of harassment and bullying and recognised that harassment is defined by the impact on the victim of harassment, not by the intentions of the alleged perpetrator.

Councillor Mrs Whitehouse asked what sort of support could the Council provide. She was told that that EFDC could offer a transfer within our district, called a Priority Transfer, but this is only given if endorsed by the police.

            RESOLVED:

That the Housing Scrutiny Panel have no comments to make on the draft Housing Service Strategy on Harassment and recommended its adoption by the Housing Portfolio Holder.

To consider which reports are ready to be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its next meeting.

Housing Scrutiny Ethnic Monitoring Report;

Private Sector Housing Strategy;

Empty Property Strategy; and

Housing Service Strategy on Harassment.

To note the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel. They are:

31 October 2006

30 January 2007

30 April 2007.

It was noted that a special meeting of the Panel would be held on 11 September 2006 starting at 5:30pm to discuss the report on Choice Based Lettings.

It was also agreed that all future meeting of the panel would begin at 5:30pm.

The next meetings of the Housing Scrutiny Standing Panel are:

11 September 2006,

31 October 2006,

30 January 2007, and

30 April 2007.