Issue - meetings

(a)       That the content of the report be noted;

(b)       That the establishment of a dedicated Tenancy Support Officer on a temporary basis within the Income Team be supported; and

(c)       That the Cabinet Member for Housing look into the suggestion for WHQS improvements to be delayed for tenants with long-term rent arrears.

The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) introduced an update on recent changes to the operational process and current levels of rent arrears compared with the previous year, together with proposed changes to manage the impact of welfare reforms.  As set out in the report, she detailed the various improvements made to the rent recovery process to focus on debt management and help tenants to manage their rent payments.  Despite the challenges of welfare reforms, the levels of income collected in Quarter 1 had exceeded that collected in Quarter 1 2014/15.  Although there was an overall increase in rent arrears compared with 2014/15, the number of arrears cases owing under £1K had reduced as a result of the decision to target this particular group to prevent escalation, which meant that there were now 118 fewer tenants in rent arrears.

On the impact of welfare reforms, it was reported that 660 tenants were currently in arrears, partly as a consequence of the Bedroom Tax, however only a small number were choosing to move to a smaller property.  Following the rollout of Universal Credit at all Flintshire Job Centres, an update would be brought to the October meeting of the Committee.  The report also detailed the support available to tenants in line with the Council’s increased responsibilities to prevent homelessness.  The Chief Officer advised that the Council was managing overall to control rent arrears and to help individuals to manage their tenancies, however the outcome of legal action on eviction notices often resulted in the Court ruling in favour of small repayments over a long period.  On paragraph 3.06 of the report, it was clarified that there had been six evictions during Quarter 1 of 2015/16.

The Committee was introduced to staff members from the Income Team, who gave examples of different cases where tenants’ willingness to engage with the Council and accept the support available had resulted in actions taken to reduce their rent arrears.  They also spoke about the challenges where the outcome of legal action reflected the sympathetic view taken by most Courts in recognition of an increased awareness of welfare reforms.

The Chief Officer referred to the proposed appointment of a dedicated Tenancy Support Officer within the Income Team who could work with tenants to help further reduce rent arrears.

An update on post office transactions was given by the Revenues Manager, who advised that a Member briefing would be issued on the continuation of the post office contract until March 2016.  This would enable more opportunity to help vulnerable tenants to explore alternative payment options such as direct debit before the deadline.  It was noted that significant progress had already been made to reduce the number of post office transactions by 75%, with around half of the 500 tenants still processing payments at their post offices living near urban areas with access to Flintshire Connects centres.  Officers would continue to work with tenants to encourage use of alternative payment arrangements before the deadline.

Councillor Peter Curtis relayed some tenants’  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29