Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

The Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the report which recommended suspension of the implementation of the service charge for the grass cutting and hedge maintenance service in council housing for sheltered housing tenants and those who previously received the service due to a disability/vulnerability.  The postponement would be until the 2015/16 financial year and until full consultation had been completed.

                        The implementation of the new service had been problematic and had caused a significant level of complaints.  It had resulted in a loss of confidence in the service which needed to be rectified.

                        In response to a question from the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning, the Chief Officer, Community and Enterprise explained that the service would still be available as a chargeable service on the terms previously agreed for any new customers who did not receive the service pre April 2014.

                        The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment paid tribute to the Housing team for their reaction to the situation and welcomed a future report to Cabinet detailing new proposals.

RESOLVED:

That a temporary suspension in service charging for the garden service for sheltered tenants and those with protected characteristics who received the service prior to 1 April 2014 be approved.