Issue - meetings

That the content of the report be noted and the final implementation stage of the new agreement, which will involve writing to all tenants, be supported.

The Chairman welcomed Mr Peter Parkinson to the meeting and explained the process by which he was permitted to speak on the item.

The Neighbourhood Housing Manager introduced the report which gave an overview of the formal consultation process in relation to the Council’s intention to introduce a revision of its tenancy conditions and sought Members’ views on the proposal for charges to be incurred by either the Council or tenant upon failure to gain access to a property for a pre-arranged appointment.

The Choices Document, made available to Council tenants prior to the housing ballot, included an undertaking to update the Tenancy Agreement for reasons of transparency, to aid its understanding and to reflect changes in legislation over the past 20 years.  Consultation on the revised Tenancy Agreement had been launched at the tenants’ conference in February 2014, followed by detailed information sent to tenants, providing an opportunity to respond to the proposed changes.  In addition, 15 drop-in sessions had been held across the county as well as officers visiting rural areas and information publicised on the Council’s website and social media.

The report outlined the Council’s responses to feedback received and in particular to concerns around the legal rights of tenants.  It was explained that tenants’ right to choose an alternative landlord was covered in Section 32 of the Housing Act 1985 which also included the right for tenants to be balloted on any housing stock transfer.

Mr Parkinson was then invited to address the Committee.  He expressed his appreciation at being permitted to share his concerns about changes to the Tenancy Agreement which he had wanted to raise for some time.  He stated that his preference was to speak only to the Committee Members and expressed his disappointment that permission had not been granted for Mr Steven Clarke, Chair of the Wales Tenants’ Association to also speak on the item.  Mr Parkinson went on to question the provision to amend the Tenancy Agreement within the Choices Document which he felt related only to the housing ballot.  He went on to question the wording on tenants’ rights which he felt applied only to English law, changes in the provision of the Warden Service and the length of the consultation period on the Tenancy Agreement in view of the number of consultees.

In welcoming Mr Parkinson to the meeting, the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance advocated the approach for members of the public to exercise their right to request to speak on items at Overview & Scrutiny Committees.  In recognising the progress made in terms of performance on the Choices Document and timescale to achieve the WHQS, he referred to the Council’s significant contribution in seeking an exit from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) subsidy system which was much welcomed in the current financial climate.  He referred to the outcome of the housing ballot, where 88% of tenants voting had voted against a stock transfer - the highest housing ballot turnout in Wales to date - and stressed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24