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.

Noted.

(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 paragraph 3(v) should be deleted from the Terms of Reference. It was also noted that most items in the Work Programme had been achieved and that only a few things were to be carried over into the new year.

For the Housing Scrutiny Standing panel to receive an executive summary and a presentation on the findings of the Private Sector House Condition Survey undertaken in the latter part of 2005.

The Scrutiny Panel received a presentation on the findings of the Private Sector House Condition Survey by Ed Diment (Projects Manager (Regeneration and Housing)) and Andrew Shakleton of the Professional Partnership Services Group (PPS plc.).

The purpose of the report and presentation was to inform the Housing Scrutiny Panel of the findings of the House Condition Survey undertaken in the latter part of 2005. The findings of the report are to be used to inform the revised Private Sector Housing Strategy.

The 2005 Epping Forest House Condition Survey (HCS) was conducted to examine to current condition of private sector dwellings with the District boundaries.

The Housing Act 2004 and Government guidance require local authorities to keep under review housing conditions in their area.  The aims of the survey were to collect information on the physical condition and energy efficiency of private sector dwellings and also on the social characteristics of the occupiers.

The information gathered will assist this Council in formulating its Private Sector Housing Strategy and in targeting resources to the areas of greatest need. The latter point is of particular importance as, under the new Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002, local authorities now have much greater freedom to set their own framework for giving financial assistance to tackle unsatisfactory housing having regard to the local circumstances, needs and resources.

The survey was conducted during Autumn 2005 and covered a sample of 761 randomly selected dwellings drawn from the owner-occupied, privately rented and housing association stock (total properties 43,970). The 6,800 local authority properties were not included in the survey.

Noted that:

• The total private sector housing stock of Epping Forest is an estimated 43,970 dwellings.
• Public Service Agreement 7 (PSA 7) requires that at least 65% of vulnerable occupiers in the private sector must be living in homes that meet the Decent Homes Standards by 2006/07. This target will increase to 70% for 2010.
• The majority of private sector dwellings (79% of all stock) are owner occupied.
• There are an estimated 890 houses in multiple occupation (2% of the stock, lower than the national average of 2.6%).
• There are an estimated 1,250 vacant dwellings (2.8% of the stock) of which 490 are long term vacant (more than 6 months). The number of vacant properties and the proportion of long term empties are both lower than national averages.

Decent Home Targets:

The Decent Homes Standard requires that a dwelling meets the following 4 criteria:

(A)       should not be unfit (or as of April 2006 not have Category 1 hazard);

(B)       should be in a reasonable state of repair;

(C)       should have adequate modern facilities (kitchens, bathrooms etc); and

(D)       should provide adequate thermal comfort (heating and insulation)

Overall 10,100 dwellings (22.9%) in Epping Forest District did not meet the Decent Homes Standard using the Housing Fitness Standard for Criterion A. This compares with the national figure of 30.1%.

A copy of the full presentation is attached to these minutes.

Q and A Session:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

To note the fourth six-monthly progress report on the Housing Service Development Plan.

The Head of Housing Services introduced his report on the Six Monthly Progress Report on the Housing Service Development Plan. The Panel noted that 83% of improvements had been achieved and nearly 90% of the highest priority achievements had been completed.

It was noted that the Tenants and Leaseholders Federation had considered the progress report and had no comments to make.

It was agreed that in the view of there only being a small number of outstanding tasks, no further progress reports need to be considered by this Scrutiny Panel.

            RESOLVED:

1.                  That the fourth six-monthly Progress Report on the Housing Service Development Plan be noted.

2.            That no further progress reports are to be considered by this Scrutiny Panel, and that the completion of the remaining tasks are to be monitored by the Head of Housing Services through the Housing Services Special Projects Plan, which is updated bi-monthly.

To consider the attached Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2006 before it is presented to the Portfolio Holder for formal consideration and adoption.

The Head of Housing Services introduced the HRA Business Plan 2006, incorporating the Repairs and Maintenance Business Plan 2006. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) requires that all local authorities produce annual Business Plans for their Housing Revenue Accounts (HRAs). The ODPM’s intention is to ensure that local authority housing is used and maintained to maximum effect. HRA Business Plans deal with councils’ plans and performance for the delivery,  performance and quality of its housing services to its tenants.

Apart from the usual updating of statistical and other information, the main changes from last year’s Business Plan are:

• The deletion of references to housing benefits, since these are no longer accounted for within the Housing Revenue Account;
• Updated sections on key achievements in 2005/6 and key priorities for 2006/7 (Sections 3.5 and 3.6);
• Reference to the proposed small scale stock transfer of Wickfields sheltered housing scheme, Chigwell (Section 6.9(c));
• An updated Financial Plan (Chapter 8);
• A new Key Action Plan (Chapter 10);
• An updated Repairs and Maintenance Business Plan (Appendix 1).

The meeting noted that the Tenants and Leaseholders Federation had considered the draft Business Plan at its last meeting and wished to reiterate its comments from last year, but to delete the comment on welcoming the inclusion of the Chapter on Risk Management and amend the following comment to read:

“They are pleased that the revised Financial Plan does not identify a deficit on the Housing Revenue Account for 21 years.”

The Head of Housing Services was asked about the Mobility Scheme on page 35 of the report and why no one had applied for it? He explained that it was run by an outside agency (Move UK) who were presently experiencing problems. This is also done on a reciprocal basis and the Council is currently in credit. Another reason is that, after the introduction of the Homelessness Act 2002, anyone, anywhere in the country can register to move anywhere in the country.

Councillor Mrs Whitehouse asked if the LAWN Scheme was still being promoted? The Head of Housing Services replied that it was not, but EFDC had asked Move UK if it could join this scheme, but they are not ready as yet.

The Chairman asked if the Council would meet our Decent Home Standard by 2010. The Head of Housing Services replied that the Council was on target.

Councillor Mrs Grigg asked why is the HRA shown to fall into deficit by Year 21? The Head of Housing Services said last year we were projected to go into deficit by Year 27, but due to a number of complex factors, e.g. the subsidy rules had changed, the rent restructuring rules had changed, it was now projected to be Year 21. We are legally not allowed to go into deficit.

Councillor Mrs Whitehouse asked if she could have the list of prepared estate enhancements if available. Paul Pledger (Assistant Head of Housing) said that Highways carried out off street parking schemes, until they were moved to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

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

Executive Summary Report on the findings of the Private Sector House Condition Survey 2005;

Progress with the Housing Service Development Plan; and

The Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2006.

To note the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel in the new municipal year, they are:

27 July 2006

31 October 2006

30 January 2007

30 April 2007.

As this was the last meeting of this municipal year the Chairman thanked the officers, members and the vice chairman for their help and contributions over the last year.

In turn the Chairman was also thanked for his leadership and the contributions he brought to the Panel over the last year.

The next meeting of the Housing Standing Panel is to be held on 27 July 2006.