Issue - meetings
Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) Capital Programme – Delivery Review Update
Meeting: 06/11/2019 - Community and Enterprise Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Item 21)
21 Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) Capital Programme – Delivery Review Update 
PDF 250 KB
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 - WHQS consultation document, item 21
PDF 2 MB
- Appendix 2 - WHQS delivery district areas, item 21
PDF 10 MB
- Appendix 3 - Wales Audit Office report, item 21
PDF 948 KB
- Appendix 4 - Reply to WAO, item 21
PDF 131 KB
- Appendix 5 - Internal Audit final report, item 21
PDF 615 KB
- Appendix 6 - WHQS post works questionnaire, item 21
PDF 159 KB
Decision:
That the Committee continues to support the Capital Investment Programme in its final two years of major investment and where possible, prioritise any requirements/support to enable the Programme to successfully meet the December 2020 deadline.
Minutes:
The Chief Officer (Housing & Assets) presented a report on progress in delivering the Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS) by the December 2020 deadline. He provided an overview of the key points including the results of an Internal Audit review of WHQS undertaken in December 2018. The WHQS assessment carried out by the Wales Audit Office on all stock-retaining authorities in Wales had generated a positive statement, with Flintshire being the only council receiving no recommendations. This provided assurance that the WHQS was being delivered efficiently and competently.
As a Council tenant, Councillor Palmer praised the report but spoke about the suitability of rendering on some properties. The Chief Officer gave assurance of continued investment and maintenance of housing stock in the Capital Programme.
Councillor Attridge sought more details on plans to reduce the number of ‘acceptable fails’ as part of the Internal Mop-up Contract. The Capital Works Manager provided clarification on the approach taken to gain access to properties to assess safety and condition. There were a number of reasons for those individuals refusing contractors access to their properties involving some genuine cases requiring a degree of sensitive handling. On resources, the Chief Officer spoke about shifting focus to address voids to maximise income.
Councillor Lloyd commented that some properties did not need the improvements. The Capital Works Manager said that those were classed as acceptable fails but still required assessment by the Council as stated within tenancy conditions.
During the debate, the Chairman and a number of Members congratulated the team for the positive report.
The recommendation was moved by Councillor Shotton and seconded by Councillor Palmer.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee continues to support the Capital Investment Programme in its final two years of major investment and where possible, prioritise any requirements/support to enable the Programme to successfully meet the December 2020 deadline.