Issue - meetings

That the Forward Work Programme be updated accordingly.

The Housing & Learning Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator introduced a report to enable the Committee to consider the Forward Work Programme.

It was agreed that the meeting scheduled for 10 June 2014 would include an update on the Housing Strategy and that the Facilitator would liaise with the Chairman and Head of Housing to bring updates on the housing company and Asset Management Plan to a future meeting.

Although all Members had been invited to the recent garage review workshop, Councillor Rosetta Dolphin suggested that the item should be discussed at a joint meeting with the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee.  The Head of Housing gave assurance of consultation with local Members on ward issues and spoke of plans to bring a report to the Committee in June/July 2014 to deal with some of the garage sites identified at the workshop.  Following a suggestion by Councillor Gareth Roberts for involvement by Planning, she said that consideration would be given to holding a joint meeting.

In response to a comment from Councillor Mike Reece on grass cutting services, the Head of Housing said that any specific issues could be raised with officers outside the meeting.  She explained that recent billing problems, due to the data used, had been recognised and would be revisited.  Following remarks by other Members, it was pointed out that the service was not mandatory and that tenants had been offered the choice and would continue to receive the service if they did not respond otherwise.

Following comments from Councillor Peter Curtis, it was explained that there were other elements within the welfare benefits system to help disabled tenants maintain their gardens.

Councillor Hilary Isherwood commented on the need to utilise resources that were already available and referred to employment of local people.

In response to Members’ concerns, the Head of Housing agreed to bring an update report in six months’ time to provide feedback in respect of quality of the service and the employment of local people in the service.

Councillor Isherwood asked about the potential for bulk buying oil for residents.  The Head of Housing was aware of schemes in operation at some other Councils and agreed to look into this.

RESOLVED:

That the Forward Work Programme be updated accordingly.