Issue - meetings

(a)       That the report be noted;

(b)       That the comments/observations of the Committee are fed back to the

            Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee who are

            responsible for the overview and monitoring of performance.

The Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) introduced a report on the 2014/15 Improvement Plan Monitoring Report relevant to the Committee.  The report covered the period July – September 2014. 

The Chief Officer advised that the following Improvement Plan sub-priority reports were attached to the report for the Committee’s consideration:

·         Extra Care Housing

·         Modern, Efficient and Adapted Homes

·         Achieve the Wales Housing Quality Standard (WQHS)

·         Welfare Reform

·         Fuel Poverty

The Chief Officer reported on progress and risks concerning the Extra Care Housing, Modern, Efficient and Adapted Homes, and Welfare Reform.   She invited the Senior Manager Council Housing Services, and Housing Regeneration and Strategy Manager, to report on the sub priorities to achieve the WQHS, and Fuel Poverty.  

The Chairman invited members to raise questions.

Councillor Paul Shotton referred to the ‘van stock’ trial and asked if it was working well.  He also commented on the introduction of Universal Credit forms which had to be completed online and asked if staff at the Connects Centres would be able to assist individuals with this task.  The Senior Manager Council Housing Services advised that the phased roll out of van stock by trade type would be completed by the end of January.  The impact of this had been monitored and early indications were showing reduced visits to the trade store at Greenfield.  The Chief Officer gave an assurance that training would be provided at the Connects Centres to enable staff to assist claimants complete forms online.

Councillor Hilary Isherwood asked how the Authority was supporting tenants who found themselves in debt as a result of mental health issues.  The Acting Community Support Services Manager advised that the Supporting People Team were providing assistance to tenants with low level  mental health problems as part of a pilot scheme which was being launched by HAFAL for two years which would assist people to move on from accessing statutory services.   

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin raised concerns over the proposed location of the Extra Care facility in Holywell and asked whether alternative sites could be considered.  She also asked whether the Extra Care facility would provide support for specialist dementia care. Referring to the sub priority to achieve the WQHS, she commented on the need for inspections to be carried out after contractors had completed property renovations.  She also asked how many tenants had agreed to the full ‘whole house approach’.  The Chief Officer advised that a full evaluation of all the potential sites was undertaken and if local Members had any objections they could feed these to the Council as appropriate.  She gave an assurance that specialist support for dementia patients would be provided at the Extra Care facility in Holywell.  The Senior Manager Council Housing Services explained that as part of the new WQHS delivery programme a Project Manager, Tenant Liaison Officer, and Clerk of Works, would be appointed.  The role of the Clerk of Works would be specifically to monitor and inspect the work of the contractors.  He agreed to provide information to Councillor Dolphin on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46