Agenda and minutes

To note any changes to the membership.

1.1                There were no changes to the membership.

To receive declarations by Members and Officers of the existence and nature of any pecuniary interests or any other significant interest in matters on this agenda.

2.1      There were no declarations of interest.

To sign the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2024.

3.1      RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2024 be signed by the Chair as a correct record of the proceedings.

4.1      The Committee was presented with a report providing details of a complaint submitted by a leaseholder through the Council’s complaints process and to the Housing Ombudsman. Following this complaint, a compensation payment of £6,901.48 was required to be paid to the tenant from the Housing Revenue Account.

4.2      The Committee noted the contents of the report and discussed its details. Disappointment was expressed that the complaints dated back to 2021, but Members were pleased that a full case review would be undertaken to learn from the service failures. The Committee was advised that following the review a dedicated Customer Advocacy Team had been implemented to keep residents updated and to help maintain relationships with residents and ensure actions were tracked and monitored through to completion. The Committee was assured that the team would ensure holistic support was provided to residents, particularly those who were most vulnerable. The importance of reviewing household circumstances regularly was also stressed and the Committee was informed that the introduction of household support reviews would provide a reliable mechanism to do this at various touch points.

RESOLVED: That the payment of compensation of £6,901.48 be noted and approved to comply with the Housing Ombudsman’s order.

5.1      The Committee was presented with a report providing details of a complaint submitted by a leaseholder through the Council’s complaints process and to the Housing Ombudsman. Following this complaint, a compensation payment of £4,795.74 was required to be paid to the tenant from the Housing Revenue Account.

5.2      The Committee noted the contents of the report and discussed its details. Disappointment was expressed over the delays in carrying out electrical repairs as well as repairs in an adapted bathroom, which had affected the suitability of a vulnerable resident’s home. Further disappointment was expressed that the issues had been compounded by a lack of urgency to address the repairs and poor communication in relation to these.

5.3      Following a discussion the Committee was advised that following the review substantial repairs to the bathroom had been raised and completed. The Housing Team Manager had also met with the resident to complete a medical assessment form with other appointments being scheduled to appropriately update the property and review the layout of the bathroom. Members emphasised the importance of ensuring there was joined up working between different Council departments, especially where residents in supported accommodation were involved.  The Committee noted a case review had also been undertaken to reflect on the service failures and delays identified to ensure all improvement opportunities were captured.

RESOLVED: That the payment of compensation of £4,795.74 be noted and approved to comply with the Stage 2 complaint award.

6.1      Martin Pyroyiannos (Electoral Services Manager) presented a report providing an update on progress with respect to the Polling District and Polling Places review within the Westminster City Council boundary. Further information was also provided on the recommendations made in response to all submissions received during the consultation and the next phase of the process after any recommendations had been approved.

6.2      Members discussed in detail the proposals and highlighted potential issues around some of the specific polling stations. In particular, concerns were expressed over stations located in West End, Vincent Square, Little Venice and Knightsbridge and Belgravia wards. It was felt further consultation with all Councillors was required and requested that the initial proposals for new polling districts and new polling places be circulated to all Members for further comment.

RESOLVED: That the Polling District and Polling Places Review be circulated to all Councillors for further consultation.

7.1      The Committee received a report on the proposed Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2025/26 and were advised that the proposed scheme, effective from 1 April 2025 had been prepared on the basis of the current scheme. As in previous years regard had been given to the findings and recommendations detailed in the most recent report of the London Council’s Independent Panel on the Remuneration of Councillors.

7.2      The Committee had previously endorsed the principle of increasing members’ allowances in line with the increase awarded to all staff each year. It was proposed that any increase to the Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances would be applied in line with any increase in salary for council staff agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services.

7.3      In considering the proposals the Committee noted the views of both political parties of the Council.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the Council be recommended to approve the Members’ Allowances Scheme attached as Appendix A to the report for 2025-2026 with effect from 1 April 2025.

2)    That the Council be recommended to agree to increase the Members’ Allowances (Basic and SRA) attached in Appendix A of the report for 2025-2026 in line with any salary increase for Council staff that may be agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services.