Issue - meetings

That the Tenancy Management Policy be noted.

The Chief Officer (Housing & Assets) introduced the Tenancy Management Policy which set out how the Council managed the types of tenancies it provided under current legislation and in the discharge of its statutory obligations as a landlord.  The Policy also sought to ensure that effective systems were adopted for the efficient management and administration of housing services.

            The Chief Officer provided additional information on each of the sections of the Tenancy Management Policy, which was attached at Appendix 1 of the report.  He drew Members attention to recent changes to communal areas, which had been introduced to comply with current fire safety regulations.  This meant that all communal areas were not to be utilised for the storage of items which could pose a risk in the event of a fire, either due to combustibility or hindering egress in the event of an evacuation.

The Chief Officer also drew Members attention to the Welsh Government (WG) changes to tenancies, as detailed within the report and suggested that further update reports on the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 as it became fully enacted, be included on the Committee’s Forward Work Programme for consideration at future meetings in order to keep Members updated.

Councillor Paul Shotton thanked officers for the report and asked if Members of the Committee could take part in a visit to the Flint Offices to become acquainted with the new officers following the housing department restructure.  It was suggested that a who’s who of housing staff be compiled and circulated to the Committee for information in the first instance.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin asked if a tenant’s right of succession could be lost following the breakdown of a relationship.  She also asked what support was provided to tenants if their home had to be demolished.  The Housing Manager confirmed that following a relationship breakdown a new tenancy would need to be put in place.  She also confirmed that if a home needed to be demolished the tenant would be re-housed.

Following concerns raised by Councillor Ted Palmer that the section dealing with Successions within the Tenancy Management Policy was difficult to understand, the Chief Officer agreed that officers would look at this further and amend if possible.

Councillor David Wisinger commented on the increase in tenants being contacted to make claims around disrepairs and asked how the Council responded to them.  He also commented on the potential financial impacts of COVID-19 and asked whether rent payments could be deferred for tenants struggling financially.  The Chief Office explained that the Council rigorously defended disrepair claims.  He also explained that there were currently no proposals to defer rent payments for tenant but that each request would be considered on a case by case basis.

Councillor Dennis Hutchinson welcomed the report but raised concerns around changes to allocations which had resulted in an increase in anti-social behaviour at sheltered accommodations.  The Chief Officer commented on the processes in place to evict tenants causing anti-social behaviour and the reliance of evidence based information.  He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46