Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be recorded live and will be capable of repeated viewing  (or another use by such third parties).

Therefore, by entering the Council Chamber and using the seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes.”

The Chairman reminded everyone present that this meeting would be recorded and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Committee noted that Councillor Bassett had been appointed as substitute for Councillor Lucas, and Councillor Janet Whitehouse had been appointed as substitute for Councillor Sharif.

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

Pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor Basset declared a non-pecuniary interest a non-executive director of Qualis.

To agree the notes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee held on 24 September 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the notes of the Place Scrutiny Committee held on 24 September 2024 be taken as read and were agreed as a correct record.

To consider, comment and propose any amendments to the Work Programme, for consideration and approval by The Overview and Scrutiny Committee,

The Communities Scrutiny Committee noted that the Recycling Collection report, item 10 of this agenda, would not be considered at this meeting, but would be presented at a future Scrutiny meeting. The work programme would be amended accordingly, pending this amendment the work programme was noted.

To consider, comment and recommend the Housing Repairs and Maintenance Policy to Cabinet for approval.

John Taphouse, Interim Service Manager,  provided an overview of the Repairs and Maintenance Policy and advised the Committee that a sub group of the Tenants and Leaseholders panel examined and assisted in the development of the policy. The full panel had reviewed confirmed agreement of the final draft policy.

The Committee raised several queries and in it was agreed that the following amendments would be made to the policy, before submission to Cabinet for approval.

•               Clarification would be provided that the prioritisation of repairs should consider the effect of delays on vulnerable occupants,

•               An indicative timescale for cyclical decorations would be added,

•               The importance of making and keeping appointments for electrical and gas safety checks would be emphasised, and

•               The responsibilities for dealing with pest infestations within homes and in communal areas would be clarified.

Resolved:

That pending the above amendments, the Repairs and Maintenance Policy be commended to Cabinet for approval.

To comment on the attached report – item carried forward from 24 September 2024.

S Balu, Interim Head of Housing and Property Director, outlined the development pipeline to the Committee, and highlighted that there were 150 units in construction planning or design stage. The sites and number of units were as set out in the report, with the following update: Woollard Street had been completed and handed over on the11 September 2024, and Pentlow Way had an expected completion date of November 2024.  The relationship with other social housing providers and housing associations were detailed. Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) had been utilised to bring some properties back into use. 

The Committee noted that there could be elongated time periods when sites were left cleared and secured, raised concerns around the time for development, and highlighted that majority of new builds are affordable rents.

The Committee received confirmation

·         That all the units shown in the report were social housing with affordable rents.

·         The Council worked with Housing Associations who the used the Council’s building process for allocations.

·         That dates associated with development stages, including site clearance would be included in future reports.

·         The Council looked to maximise units and balance this with the number of persons that could be accommodated in units, in line with the space standards and appropriate density of the site

·         The trend in social housing was towards affordable rents, as social rents did not provide a return .

Actions

1.    A breakdown on the LAHF spend would be provided.

2.    Officers would liaise with the designers, to consider if St Peter Avenue, could incorporate more 2 bedroom 4 person units.

3.    Timescales for the key stages of the development, including site clearance, would be included in future reports,

4.    The location of Pyrles Lane, would be confirmed and amended if necessary.

Resolved:

The Committee considered, commented and noted the report.

To consider the regulatory lanscape for social housing.

Surjit Balu Interim Head of Housing and Property Director presented an overview of the regulatory landscape, to raise awareness on the new regime from the regulator of social housing and ensure that members were aware of the responsibilities The key focus was raising standards, improving transparency and engagement with residents.  The new powers and the proactive inspections associated with the regulations and the inspection triggers the future requirements, including professionalisation of staff were detailed and it was highlighted that the service was now performance driven and data led.

The Committee welcomed and commented on the report. They were advised that

·         Awaab’s law may be extended to include ventilation, insulation and a whole home approach, but further detail had not been released.

·         That Councils must confirm to the regulations

·         A gap analysis of staff qualification was in progress and support would be provided to staff for training, it was noted that currently there were limited training providers.

Resolved:

The Committee noted the report.

To consider the attached report.

The Chairman advised the Committee that this report would not be considered at this meeting and would be presented at a future meeting of Scrutiny.

To note that the next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee will be held on 14 January 2025 at 7.00pm on

RESOLVED:

The committee noted the date of the next meeting was on 14 January 2024 at 7:00pm.