Agenda and minutes

(Assistant to the Chief Executive)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Panel noted that there were no substitute members.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive). 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.

To note the minutes of the last meeting held on 25 October 2007.

The minutes from the last meeting were noted and agreed.

Under paragraph 8 in the minutes, on the strategy on Energy Efficiency, it was noted that, following the recent accident in another part of the country with a faulty thermostat, the Housing Assets Section had started carrying out assessments on the thermostats in the Council’s housing stock. This was pre-empting any Government advice or guidelines.

Under paragraph 11, it was noted that the Government had now published its latest Housing Bill, which provided clarification of the ambiguous advice previously received regarding a new requirement to ensure armed forces personnel were treated as if they had local connections. It had been made clear that this was only in relation to the local connection that armed forces personnel had made with the District in which they were living and not with the District in which they were living prior to joining the forces. This would therefore not apply to our District and the Allocations Scheme would not have to be amended, contrary to the views expressed by officers at the previous meeting. Councillor Mrs Lea was concerned that this would lead to members of the armed forces losing their connections with their family county. She was assured that as the Housing Allocations Scheme was reviewed every year, members could raise this as a matter of concern at the next review to be considered for inclusion in the scheme.

(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.

The Terms of Reference and the Work Programme were noted.

In response to a question of clarification the Director of Housing explained that the London Commuter Belt Housing Sub Region was defined as all of Hertfordshire and five districts in Essex.

(Director of Housing) to consider the attached report.

The Director of Housing introduced the progress report on the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2007/08. The Panel noted that the format was prescribed by the Government. The last Business Plan was produced in April last year. The Panel will have next year’s plan to review at it’s next meeting.

Councillor Angold-Stephens asked why the results from the recent census were not available as yet. The Director of Housing replied that the returned forms were currently being put on the computer but staff had had other priorities. The census form went out to all council tenants with a good return rate. He agreed that it was important to compile the returns as soon as possible.

Asked if there were any problems in introducing the new computer systems (the Leasehold Services module and the Estate Management module), the Director of Housing replied that they were still awaiting staff resources from the corporate ICT Service. He would shortly be having a meeting with the relevant Director to take this forward. They were looking to buy the Estate Management System once it has been evaluated properly. They were also looking at web based applications and how they could be put on their system. The Panel noted that there was a general review of the Council’s IT systems currently taking place.

Asked how many people had made use of the facility for tenants to apply for the Housing Register on-line the Assistant Head of Housing said that he did not have the figures to hand but would find out.

Councillor Angold–Stephens asked to see a demonstration of the whole IT system if possible. The Director of Housing said if the members wanted a demonstration it could be arranged. They may also be interested in looking at the Choice Based Lettings  “back office” IT system which was currently operational.

In reply to a question on the number and types of “Tenant Talkback Panels”  the Director of Housing replied that a number of different types were intended. Forums were in place, for the elderly sheltered housing tenants, and for rural tenants specifically to discuss rural issues. The new talkback panels could cover aspects such as housing management and repairs and maintenance. These would be conducted with a small number of people  and run more on a task and finish basis, but they are still in the planning stage.

The Chairman asked about the delayed publication of the calendar for tenants, promoting the activities of the Tenants and Leaseholders Federation; he was told  by Mrs Carter that the idea came too late to organise and print it for this year. They will take this up again in winter 2008.

A member wondered if the improved telecare service from the Council’s Careline Control Service would impose  an additional burden  on Careline staff. He was told that it should not do so. They are also looking at accreditation from the Telecare Services Associations (TSA). They will be carrying out a review this year of the Careline Service to go  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

(Director of Housing) to consider the attached report.

The Assistant Head of Housing (Operations) updated the Panel on the latest progress made on the Choice Based Letting Scheme.

The Panel noted that:

• The scheme went live on 19 November 2007 jointly with Uttlesford District Council and Brentwood Borough Council.
• The other three authorities (Chelmsford, Broxbourne and East Herts.) would be joining them later this year.
• There were 588 applicants who participated in the scheme during the first three cycles, this being about 16% of all applicants on the Housing Register.
• Uttlesford reported 15% participation.
• The scheme will be publicised more, and a survey will be conducted to find out why some people were not participating.
• Events have been held to inform various organisations who help vulnerable people to inform them of the scheme so that they could participate.
• A Scheme User Guide is also available.
• There is to be a six month review of the scheme presented to the Panel, which will include figures on what bands were allocated.

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

The Chairman agreed to report briefly to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee all the reports considered at this meeting.

To consider the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel. The next and last scheduled meeting of this Panel, for this municipal year, is on 18 March 2008.

The Panel noted that the next meeting was scheduled for 18 March 2008.