Agenda, decisions and minutes

None were received.

None were received.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2014 (copy enclosed).

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2014 had been circulated with the agenda.

Matters Arising

In response to a query from Councillor Rosetta Dolphin on the review of garage sites, the Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) said it was intended to share information at all-Members workshops to cover garage sites in all wards.  Agreement to this proposal would be sought under Agenda Item 5.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

That the Committee notes the report and proactive work undertaken by the Council, together with its partners, to mitigate the full impact of welfare reforms from falling upon vulnerable households.

The Team Manager - Advice & Homeless Service introduced the report giving the latest position with the reforms being introduced to the social security system and actions taken locally to provide help and support to affected residents in Flintshire.

He explained that many of the concerns around the impact of changes had been identified at an earlier stage and that various activities had been put in place to target and support those affected, particularly the more vulnerable households.  He provided information on the effects of the Benefit Cap and Spare Room Subsidy (‘bedroom tax’) to date, as detailed in the report.  On the latter, it was noted that an outcome was awaited on a proposed change in legislation which would reduce the number of people having a reduction in their Housing Benefit.  Information was provided on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme where there was concern around the level of future funding from the Welsh Government (WG).  On the Discretionary Assistance Fund, it was reported that funding would be available from WG to continue with the scheme from April 2015 onwards and that 66% of applications made in Flintshire had been successful.

During an update on Personal Independence Payments (PIP), it was reported that the DWP had committed to tackling lengthy delays experienced by some claimants and that a large-scale reassessment of Disability Living Allowance (which would be transferred to PIP) in the UK would impact on the number of claimants within Flintshire.  The report set out measures being taken by the Council to help claimants to access the necessary advice and support.

The Team Manager - Advice & Homeless Service gave an update on the rollout of Universal Credit where concerns had previously been raised over the impact on households if national IT systems were to fail.  He welcomed the continued phased rollout of Universal Credit and the introduction of a ‘Local Delivery Agreement’ with the Council and its partners, and went on to say that the model introduced in Flintshire on how individuals could access personal budgeting support was to be used nationwide.  He spoke of the need for further discussion and progression on Universal Credit, with some improvements having already been introduced.

An update on Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) gave the statistics to date and reported on involvement by the Council’s Housing Benefits section in a pan-Wales project to share Flintshire’s approach to DHP which was regarded as good practice.  An overview was given of the various workstreams which were set out in the report.

The Neighbourhood Housing Manager provided a summary of the operational side, which was detailed in the appendix to the report.  It was noted that eight out of ten tenants in Flintshire affected by the reforms were making payments on their rent accounts to try to address the shortfall and Table 2 showed the number of tenants impacted by the spare room subsidy who were in rent arrears (including some in that position prior to the reforms).  Agreement had previously been reached by the Committee for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

(a)       That the Committee supports the six proposed district areas as an appropriate grouping of properties to enable officers to finalise the WHQS delivery programme and develop proposals for which particular work stream should be completed in which year, noting that these would be discussed prior to finalisation at a Member workshop; and

(b)       That further consultations take place to agree the scope and content of environmental work streams in each area after internal and external work streams are well underway.

The Housing Asset Manager presented the report to seek the views of the Committee on proposals for the delivery of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme of works in the Council’s stock by 2020.  This was an earlier timescale, involving prudential borrowing, than that originally forecast in the Choices Document.

The report set out the actions undertaken since discussion at the Committee’s meeting on 8 January 2014 on the approach to the next phase of the investment programme for delivery of the WHQS.  Although the six year programme had focussed on internal work to properties, as set out in the Choices Document, it was proposed that other elements would now be included.  Whilst progress had been made during the year to verify data on the Council’s stock and give assurance on financial assumptions, an update on the capital works programme reported that most of the workstream elements within the Choices Document continued to be exceeded.  In line with the commitment previously given, an update was given on the employment and training opportunities achieved through the WHQS which had exceeded expectations.

To develop the new six year programme, a consultation exercise had taken place with tenants to help inform the prioritisation of remaining workstreams aligned to six delivery districts which had been identified from the re-grouping of geographical areas.  A summary of proposed workstreams remaining for each district was appended to the report and would require local knowledge input by consulting with tenants and local Members.  It was intended that area specific issues and projects, identified through consultation, would be tackled through environmental workstreams including outcomes from the garages review which would require further discussion with local Members prior to seeking Cabinet approval.  Once approved, the works programme would be published and subject to the tendering process ready for commencement on site from April 2015.

The Chairman thanked officers for the report and in particular welcomed the consultation with tenants and the creation of jobs and apprenticeships.

Mrs Mavis Crofts, Chair of the Flintshire Federation of Tenants & Residents Association, referred to the survey where 41% of tenants responding had stated a preference for kitchens and bathroom upgrades to be carried out at the same time.  Mrs Croft asked if the age and circumstances of these tenants were known, so that this could be taken into account when scheduling the work to ease the disruption.  The Housing Asset Manager said that age bandings had been included on the survey questionnaire to enable this type of data to be collated.  He added that it was important to minimise disruption to the tenants and that part of the rationale behind separating the work into district areas was to ensure that contractors remained working on site in those concentrated areas making it easier to pick up any unresolved issues.

When asked by Councillor Mike Reece about the inclusion of solid brick properties in external works, the Housing Regeneration & Strategy Manager said that consideration was being given to extending the external wall project, subject to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

(a)       That the report and the positive programme to introduce self-financing for Council housing be noted; and

(b)       That the proposal to arrange a Member workshop to consider arrangements for the introduction of self-financing for the Housing Revenue Account be supported.

The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) introduced the report to update the Committee on progress with introducing self-financing for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), following the report received in July 2014.  The report outlined the changes affecting the 11 stock-owning Councils in Wales, including Flintshire, to cease the subsidy system and to introduce self-financing from April 2015 through voluntary agreement by all 11 Councils.

Following the response to the Welsh Government (WG) consultation paper, the Chief Officer was pleased to report that all representations made by the Council had been included in the recommendations of the former Housing Minister.  Although the distribution of borrowing limits amongst the 11 Councils was yet to be announced by the WG, the introduction of self-financing would provide £1m of additional revenue funding in the HRA to invest in tenants’ homes and support the achievement of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard by 2020 as well as supporting the Council house building programme.

Members were advised of work being undertaken to develop a full project plan to prepare for self-financing and the need for arrangements for the HRA to be in place earlier than usual to enable the introduction of self-financing by 1 April 2015.  Along with a tenants’ conference to be held in the Autumn, there were plans to hold an all-Member workshop to share detailed information on the process to aid consideration of the HRA and Treasury Management Strategy at County Council.

Mrs Mavis Crofts, Chair of the Flintshire Federation of Tenants & Residents’ Association thanked the Chief Officer and her team for the consultation carried out with tenants and welcomed the explanations given on this complex topic.

In response to a query, the Chief Officer said that the borrowing needed to exit the system was affordable and that rents would not be affected as a result of this.  However, rent increases would occur to reach ‘convergence’ in line with the WG rent-setting policy.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman paid tribute to Mrs Crofts who was due to end her term as Chair of the Federation and expressed his gratitude for her contributions to housing issues.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report and the positive programme to introduce self-financing for Council housing be noted; and

(b)       That the proposal to arrange a Member workshop to consider arrangements for the introduction of self-financing for the Housing Revenue Account be supported.

(a)       That the Committee support the process for the acceptance, calculation use of commuted sums as outlined in the report and Local Planning Guidance Note No. 9 - Affordable Housing; and

(b)       That a further review of the Policy take place in April 2015, with a view to implementing the Community Infrastructure Levy which, when implemented, will replace the Section 106 commuted sums regime.

The Housing Regeneration & Strategy Manager introduced the report to seek the support and views of the Committee on the proposed utilisation of commuted sums (derived for the purposes of providing affordable housing).  The report detailed the Council’s policies which enabled a commuted sum to be paid by a developer towards the provision of affordable housing on an alternative site where it was not possible to incorporate this on a particular scheme meeting the criteria.

The Housing Regeneration & Strategy Manager outlined the main areas of change and drew attention to the need to update the Council’s Local Planning Guidance Note No.9 to which Planning colleagues were in agreement.

Councillor Gareth Roberts referred to concerns by the Council’s Planning Committee on inconsistencies on some planning decisions in relation to Section 106 Agreements.  The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) said that this was a matter for the Planning Committee, but that encouraging individuals to register on the Affordable Housing Register would prove demand in certain areas.

Following comments from Councillor Ian Dunbar on criteria for affordable housing, the Chief Officer said that Council owned land would be given priority, however a broader scope was needed to enable certain sites outside the Council’s ownership to be considered for development to meet the priorities of the community.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee support the process for the acceptance, calculation use of commuted sums as outlined in the report and Local Planning Guidance Note No. 9 - Affordable Housing; and

(b)       That a further review of the Policy take place in April 2015, with a view to implementing the Community Infrastructure Levy which, when implemented, will replace the Section 106 commuted sums regime.

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 arrangements would be made for the Member workshops referred to earlier in the meeting.

Councillor Paul Shotton suggested that the Committee may wish to consider a future item on solar water heating.  The Housing Regeneration & Strategy Manager said that some types of solar thermal equipment had been used on some properties and that this would be explored further.

Councillor Mike Reece thanked officers for their work to address derelict buildings.

RESOLVED:

That the Forward Work Programme be updated accordingly.

There was one member of the public in attendance.