Agenda item

Councillor Andrew Smith (Cabinet Member for Housing Services) to update the Committee on current and forthcoming issues in his portfolio.

5.1       Councillor Andrew Smith (Cabinet Member for Housing Services) presented the report and commented that the Resident Listening Programme had been a useful exercise. The performance of the Contact Centre had continued to improve, whilst satisfaction with handling anti-social behaviour currently stood at 74%. Councillor Smith also advised that the Compliance Team for Estate Services had gone live with a new mobile working solution in November 2018 and this was working well.

5.2       The Chairman asked when ward councillors would be told of parking proposals in respect of implementing traffic management orders (TMOs). He commented that investigations into anti-social behaviour often involved the Noise Team as well as CityWest Homes and he asked whether there would be steps taken to integrate this when the housing management function went in-house.

5.3       In noting that around 2,000 new homes were planned, Members noted that this would affect market forces and asked what implications this may have on temporary accommodation and the budget for temporary accommodation. Views were also sought as to how many residents would exercise their ‘right to return’. A Member noted that whilst Council Tax rates were low, the level of deprivation and housing should play an important role in addressing this. He added that housing assessments should take into consideration residents’ income.

5.4       A Member commented that anti-social behaviour was likely to increase in the summer and residents were expressing an interest in streets becoming gated, which was a complex process in undertaking and he asked if this could be streamlined. Another Member welcomed the improved performance of the Contact Centre, however he queried what the nature of the complaints were that were still being received. Members asked what funds from the sale of social housing were used and what steps was the Council taking in respect of residents who were in rent arrears as a result of the bedroom tax and Universal Credit. It was also noted that there had been nine evictions this year due to rent arrears and it was queried if the Council could show more patience in such situations. Clarification was also sought in respect of the parking ‘red notices’.

5.5       In reply to issues raised, Councillor Smith advised that there were detailed plans being drawn up for implementing TMOs and he would get back to Members in respect of informing ward councillors on these. He stated that the move to bring the housing management function in –house would provide potential for integration across a number of areas, including working with teams such as the Noise Team to tackle anti-social behaviour. Councillor Smith acknowledged that housing played a vital role in tackling issues such as deprivation and the plans for new homes would help tackle this, along with the need to provide housing for public sector workers such as the police and teachers through an appropriate housing mix. In respect of gating, this could be difficult because of the architectural challenges involved, however this could be looked at further. Work was ongoing in respect of the implications of the bedroom tax. Councillor Smith advised that support was available for residents in rent arrears as a result of the introduction of Universal Credit and the Council was also working in partnership with the voluntary sector on this. He added that evictions were only used as a last resort. With regard to the Contact Centre, Councillor Smith advised that some of the complaints received were legacy ones, including a backlog of repairs that needed to be undertaken, and a process was in place to tackle this. Members also noted that the red parking notices do not have legal strength by themselves, but helped in prosecution cases. Councillor Smith agreed to circulate the timetable for Planned Preventative Maintenance to Members.

5.6       Tom McGregor (Director of Housing and Regeneration) added that there was a full timeline in respect of implementing TMOs and there was an indicative timetable. Whilst there was a need to build new homes, he acknowledged that this would place more pressure on the temporary homes budget and creative ways of delivering were being looked at. Tom McGregor anticipated that the proportion of residents taking up the ‘right to return’ would be large, however there would be a significant number who would not.

5.7       Fergus Coleman (Head of Affordable Housing) advised that money from property disposals was ring fenced primarily for two to three bedroom houses.

5.8       ACTION:

1.    Members to receive further information in respect of implementing TMOs and to confirm when ward councillors would be advised of this. (Action for: Councillor Smith and Tom McGregor.)

2.    Members to receive information on Planned Preventative Maintenance timetable. (Action for: Councillor Smith and Tom McGregor.)