Agenda item

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2012.

(a)       That, subject to the aforementioned amendment, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman;

(b)       That the Director of Community Services liaise with the Planning Manager and Head of Planning in regard to the need to identify land for development; and

(c)        That the Head of Housing seek permission to circulate the report on the housing waiting list to the Committee.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2012 had been circulated with the agenda.

Accuracy

On the Forward Work Programme, Councillor A.M. Halford commented that she had been aware of Brett Sadler’s departure from the Council and asked that the minute be amended to reflect this.

Matters Arising

Secure/Introductory Tenancy Agreement - The Head of Housing explained that a legal condition could not be included in tenancy agreements for tenants to purchase contents insurance, however officers would be proactive in encouraging as many new tenants as possible to sign up to the scheme.

Local Housing Strategy - In response to a query raised by Councillor Halford on comments made by the Principal Planner on the identification of sites, the Head of Housing said that a current review of garage sites may identify land for other uses in addition to land previously identified.  She added that an item on adopted/un-adopted land would be considered by the Committee in April 2013.  Councillor Halford suggested that as this was a Housing/Planning issue, the Director of Community Services liaise with the Planning section.  The Director agreed to do this.

Councillor P.J. Curtis explained that his comments regarding the housing waiting list had been due to reports that some people had been informed that tenants in the Flint maisonettes were being deemed a priority and that the Head of Housing was looking into this.  The Head of Housing referred to a report to the Deputy Leader which had indicated that this was untrue and said that she would seek permission on circulating this to the Committee.

Quarter 2 Service Performance Reports - Councillor R. Dolphin sought an update on comments made on the planned maintenance of fences.  The Cabinet Member for Housing said that discussions on such maintenance work was ongoing and that although no work for ‘Planned - Other’ was to go ahead for the current year, any included for future years would be minimal.  She added that any fencing issues causing a safety breach would be resolved via the health and safety budget.  Councillor Dolphin asked whether such work in next year’s budget would be rolled forward in the programme to help alleviate the backlog.  The Head of Housing said this was a possibility although only a limited budget was available as Members had previously agreed to prioritise heating, kitchen and bathroom upgrades.  If additional funding could not be identified, then Members would need to make choices on any additional programme lines against available budget.  The views of the Committee would be sought on proposals for the 2013/14 capital budget in January 2013.

On house sharing and the re-designation of unsuitable sheltered housing, Councillor Curtis felt that there should be involvement from the Committee in forming proposals and suggested that a sub-group be set up to do this.  The Head of Housing said that proposals discussed with the Cabinet Member would be brought to the Committee and that the points raised by the Sheltered Housing Working Group had been taken into account.  Councillor Curtis felt that Members’ knowledge of their own wards was vital and the Head of Housing replied that any proposals for re-designating properties would include consultation with local Members.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That, subject to the aforementioned amendment, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman;

(b)       That the Director of Community Services liaise with the Planning Manager and Head of Planning in regard to the need to identify land for development; and

(c)        That the Head of Housing seek permission to circulate the report on the housing waiting list to the Committee.