Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Housing & Transportation Portfolio  Recovery Business Plan content be noted;

(b)       That the Committee is assured by the Housing and Assets Portfolio Recovery Business Plan;

(c)        That the following  be referred to the Community, Housing & Assets Overview & Scrutiny Committee:-

·         the impact of the increase in void properties and non-payment of rent on the financial position of the portfolio.

The Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) presented the Recovery Business Plan for the Housing and Assets portfolio.  He advised that there were 47 current risks (6 red, 23 amber, 5 yellow, 9 green, 4 closed) and reported on the main risk areas  which were rental income, homelessness, and raw material supplies. 

The Chairman asked the Chief Officer for an update on the voids position.  The Chief Officer advised there were currently in the order of 200 voids in the Councils housing stock which needed to be brought back into use.  He explained that the current shortage of building supplies, materials, and labour, and cost increases due to the pandemic and Brexit was likely to have an impact on future decisions to commit to capital schemes and the quick turnaround of voids.  Commenting on the Councils industrial and commercial estates he noted that there were very few which were void and that demand was generally high across all tenures. 

In response to the further comments by the Chairman on rental income the Chief Officer advised that the projected void loss for its housing stock was 2% modelled into the business plan.  He explained this was currently running at a higher level which impacted on the Housing service which was funded exclusively by rental income.

The Chairman suggested that the impact of the increase in void properties and

the issue of non-payment of rent on the financial position of the portfolio be

referred to the Community & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee.  This

was agreed by the Committee. 

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor David Healey and seconded by Councillor Patrick Heesom.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Housing & Transportation Portfolio  Recovery Business Plan content be noted;

(b)       That the Committee is assured by the Housing and Assets Portfolio Recovery Business Plan;

(c)        That the following  be referred to the Community, Housing & Assets Overview & Scrutiny Committee:-

·         the impact of the increase in void properties and non-payment of rent on the financial position of the portfolio.