Agenda, decisions and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

No declarations of interest were made.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 20 November and 13 December 2013 (copies enclosed).

That subject to one amendment, both sets of minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The minutes of the meetings held on 20 November and 13 December 2013 had been circulated with the agenda.

Councillor Amanda Bragg asked that her apologies be recorded for the latter meeting.

RESOLVED:

That subject to one amendment, both sets of minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(a)       That the three key aims of the draft strategy, as outlined in 2.02 of the report, be supported;

(b)       That the views of the Committee on the workstream approach be expressed to Cabinet; and

(c)        That the commitment for further consultations to develop schemes in more detail be noted.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report to seek the Committee’s views on proposals to deliver the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) through the development of a new Asset Management Strategy (AMS), and to share these with Cabinet.  In referring to the housing stock transfer ballot which had registered the highest turnout and ‘No’ vote in Wales, he paid tribute to the previous administration for the manner in which the ballot had been carried out in detailing alternative options within the Choices document.  In line with the Council’s Improvement Priorities, £103m of capital investment in the Council’s housing stock during the seven year plan to reach the WHQS would be delivered by the Council, representing a significant achievement.  To support this, a commitment had been given to the creation of additional jobs together with 20 apprenticeships to deliver this investment.  The Leader stated that these achievements were due to the significant improvements in Housing performance and thanked the Director of Community Services, Head of Housing, Cabinet Member and colleagues in Housing for their contributions.

The Head of Housing explained that whereas the current £49m investment programme focussed mainly on internal elements of work, the report set out options to move forward with different investment streams to achieve the WHQS by 2020.  Once approved by Cabinet, extensive consultation would take place with ward Members over the Spring/Summer of 2014 to discuss the detail of proposed investment plans and timing of various workstreams across the county.  The creation of 200 jobs through engagement of large and small contractors and local people, together with 20 apprenticeships, would provide a range of high quality work experience and training.  Opportunities would also be available for the Council’s trades teams to work on elements of capital works.  The Head of Housing went on to refer to the four main workstreams detailed in the report and sought Members’ views on the options.

The Chairman commended the creation of employment and training opportunities through achievement of the WHQS.

Councillor Paul Shotton spoke in favour of internal work being undertaken on a ‘whole house’ approach to minimise upheaval to the tenant and asked whether all funding streams had been explored.  The Head of Housing explained that in line with the Council’s Improvement Priorities, the Council had been successful in securing energy efficiency funding to supplement the programme.  In addition, changes by Central Government could create opportunities for funding over the next two years to help with non-traditional stock and a successful outcome to the bid submitted to the Wales Vibrant and Viable Places programme could bring extra funds for WHQS plans in those areas.

Following a query from the Chairman on solid wall insulation, it was explained that this would be considered for areas across the Authority according to the different criteria which applied.

On the importance of having a multi-skilled workforce, Councillor Alison Halford commented that some individuals may have more expertise in one area than another and that sufficient numbers of contractors would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

(a)       That the contents of the report be noted; and

(b)       That all Members be invited to contribute to the proposed Responsible Pet Ownership Policy for Council tenants.

The Neighbourhood Housing Manager (North) presented an update on progress of the service in relation to the management of anti-social behaviour (ASB) following approval of the new ASB Policy in 2013.

In outlining the key considerations in the report, she spoke of the benefits of a new IT system (ReACT) and the recruitment of two additional specialist ASB officers together with provision of an external out of hours support service for victims of ASB.  To support the Council’s stance in tackling ASB and to protect the Council’s investment in improvement works, there would be a reduced priority for tenants who deliberately damaged or neglected their properties.  In example case studies where legal action had been taken, it was noted that the preferred approach was to apply for an injunction as this was cheaper, faster and more effective in terms of managing behaviour than eviction, which was used as a last resort.  In addition, there were plans to develop a policy for responsible pet ownership in response to concerns from residents about  pet related nuisance and in particular, the increasing problem of dog fouling.

In welcoming the progress made, Councillor Paul Shotton asked that his appreciation be relayed to Gerwyn Davies and his colleagues for their advice which encouraged tenants to report incidents of ASB.  In response to plans to develop services for those experiencing domestic abuse, he referred to the ‘White Ribbon Day’ which had publicised excellent work in that area.  He sought information on progress with the Responsible Pet Ownership Policy, particularly in view of the Tenant Satisfaction Survey which identified this as an area of concern for 54% of tenants who had responded.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager reported that work on the policy was due to commence the following week, linked with an RSPCA accredited scheme, and would be brought back to the Committee at a future date.

In response to comments from Councillor Rosetta Dolphin on the volume of ASB incidents involving children, the Neighbourhood Housing Manager confirmed that such issues were addressed with the parents and that Tenancy Agreement terms reinforced the responsibility of parents within their property and the locality.  Whilst further action could be explored, this did not apply to those in private tenancies.  Following a further query, she advised that the out of hours service being piloted was currently on a referral basis only and that costs of £1200 would be required if the contact number was to be publicised.

Councillor Alison Halford congratulated officers on the excellent report and suggested that plans to establish the Responsible Pet Ownership Policy could include consultation with all Council Members.  In response to a query on the map showing areas of ASB complaints, it was explained that this indicated cases outstanding since November 2013 and did not include cases which had closed.  Following a request for more detail on the out of hours service, the Head of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, advised that £1200 would be allocated in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

That the outcomes of the survey and areas for continued improvement be noted and supported.

The Director of Community Services presented the results of the independent tenant satisfaction survey and proposals for improvement to further raise satisfaction levels to achieve top quartile outcomes.

The Director said it was pleasing to note that the overall results had improved significantly from the survey undertaken three years ago and that favourable comparison with results from housing associations was particularly impressive given the difference in ages and condition of properties.  For those areas where improvement in performance was needed to reach the upper quartile, the report outlined work to be undertaken to achieve this.

In welcoming the report, Councillor Peter Curtis commented on the 39% return rate of completed forms.  The Director said that the involvement of younger tenants was recognised as a key issue to ensure that a wider range of views could be accessed.

Councillor Brian Lloyd referred to the sample size selected from each of the housing management areas and said that all tenants should be offered the opportunity to participate, for example by including the survey in the tenants’ newsletter.  The Head of Housing explained that cost was a factor and that the recognised approach had been followed in relation to the percentage of tenants surveyed as a representative sample.  However, if Members wished to survey all Council tenants, consideration could be given to providing sufficient budget for this to take place for the next survey.  The Chairman spoke in favour of this.

Following queries from Councillor Alison Halford, the Housing Asset Manager explained that changes had been put in place to enable trades teams to carry more items on their vehicles to carry out a wider range of repairs on the first visit, thus avoiding the need to return to stores to replenish stocks.  On tenants’ response to car parking issues, the Head of Housing acknowledged that this was a challenge due to the increasing number of vehicles per household and the design of many estates.  The Capital Works Manager agreed and said that any additional parking provision should not restrict access to estates.

Councillor Ray Hughes asked if more could be done to encourage residents to park in appropriate areas, such as provision of adequate lighting where required and liaising with the Police to restrict parking in unsuitable areas.  In response to his request for information on the survey of garage sites, the Head of Housing explained that dates were being sought for a workshop on this topic to receive input from Members.

RESOLVED:

That the outcomes of the survey and areas for continued improvement be noted and supported.

That the Forward Work Programme be updated accordingly.

The Housing & Learning Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator introduced a report to enable the Committee to consider the Forward Work Programme.  She advised that following earlier discussion, an update on the Responsible Pet Ownership Policy for tenants would be included.

In response to a request from Councillor Rosetta Dolphin for an item on garages, the Head of Housing advised that a workshop was being planned for March 2014.  The Facilitator added that dates were being sought for a joint meeting with the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee to include the review of garage sites.

The Chairman reminded Members that Carl Sargeant AM was to be invited to a future meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Forward Work Programme be updated accordingly.

There was one member of the press in attendance.