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 meeting held on 21 March 2013 (copy enclosed).

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2013 had been circulated with the agenda.

Accuracy

Minute number 62: Forward Work Programme - Councillor G. Hardcastle said that he had requested an update on PDA devices.

RESOLVED:

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

(a)       That the positive progress being made to improve performance and to deliver the service improvement workstreams be noted; and

(b)       That the permanent establishment of the in-house disabled adaptations team be supported.

The Director of Community Services introduced an update report on progress with the repairs and maintenance service performance improvement workstreams.  He said that although the report demonstrated significant performance improvements, it was acknowledged that there was a need for further progress to be made.  He spoke of the challenges arising from the implementation of mobile working and thanked senior officers, managers and their teams for their positive work in response to the severe weather which had impacted on the repairs and maintenance service.

The Housing Asset Manager reported on improvements in a number of key areas such as the revised staffing structure and the implementation of mobile working which had been assisted by an increased level of IT support and dedicated server.  He advised that the extended hours service was due to be introduced on 13 May 2013 and expressed gratitude to the management team, staff and Trade Union colleagues for their contributions in progressing the change in contracts to reflect a 37 hour working week for all with effect from 1 April 2013, in line with other Council services.  On performance improvement in the repairs service, the Housing Asset Manager reported that despite the impact of severe weather conditions, figures for Quarter 4 2012/13 remained below the target of 35 days for non-urgent repairs.  He went on to report positively on the review of the in-house disabled adaptations team who were working in collaboration with other teams, and efficiencies achieved from the managed stores service.  On the latter, it was noted that the Council and contractor would each receive a 50% share of the profits achieved through the successful performance over the past 12 months.

In thanking management and teams for the improvements made, the Chairman commented that Housing was the most improved department in the Council.

In response to a question from Councillor G. Hardcastle, the Housing Asset Manager said that following the implementation of the new server and software fixes, all staff in responsive repairs together with gas and electric teams (approximately 50 employees in total) would be using PDA devices.  Although there would be less benefit in including the Voids team, this may be reviewed at a later stage.  Councillor Hardcastle echoed the comments made by the Chairman and requested that the Head of Housing send a memo to staff to express the Committee’s gratitude for the hard work carried out during the recent bad weather.  The Cabinet Member said that over 40 emergency calls per day had been received during that period.

Councillor A.M. Halford questioned what had brought about the improvements in the service and sought clarification on the removal of vehicles.  The Head of Housing felt that the most significant change was in management culture and paid tribute to teams within the service.  She spoke of positive working with Trade Union colleagues to achieve a common goal and the sharing of information which contributed to greater confidence in officers by Members.  Whilst staff morale had been affected by actions taken to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

That the Committee supports the draft Anti-Social Behaviour Policy including the proposed changes.

The Neighbourhood Housing Manager (North) introduced the report on the proposed Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy which highlighted the key policy issues and changes, and potential challenges faced by the Council.  She explained the background and range of definitions covering ASB together with the responsibility of the Housing service in helping to tackle the problem via a joint agency approach.  In addition to enhancements to the policy, a more detailed proforma had been developed to assess the level of risk and response for each case and an out of hours witness support service was due to be introduced.

In welcoming the proposed improvements, Councillor W.P. Shotton said that some residents seemed to be unaware of the Council’s ASB officers and asked if the Neighbourhood Housing Manager would be willing to attend Town and Community Council meetings to raise awareness of the policy changes.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager welcomed this suggestion and explained that the out of hours service was to function outside working hours from 6pm until 9am, together with weekends and bank holidays.  The Director of Community Services stated that he would include the item on the County Forum agenda to broaden consultation with Town and Community Council representatives.

Councillor A.I. Dunbar welcomed the Council’s proactive approach to tackling drug-related ASB and commented on the length of time taken to gather evidence to support action and the effect on nearby residents.  The Cabinet Member for Housing said that the out of hours service would assist the Police in gathering evidence.

Councillor S. Jones said that the policy would not be fully effective as it could not apply to private households.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager pointed out that recent legislation extended Councils’ powers so that if an incident of ASB affected any aspect of the housing management function, ie a Council tenant, action could still be taken.  In any cases of ASB, information would be shared with the Joint Action Team and Police.

Councillor R. Dolphin felt that it was unfair for ASB perpetrators to receive kitchen replacements etc in line with other Council tenants.  Councillor R. Davies commented on the need to fully enforce the policy and to use sensitivity when allocating properties.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager explained that an action planning approach would be taken as noted in the report and that a range of tools such as mediation or environmental improvements could be utilised to help resolve situations.

Councillor A.M. Halford raised queries on involvement from the Police and local press coverage on the eviction of Council tenants due to rent arrears and ASB.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager advised that the Joint Action Group included Police representation and that more informal arrangements, such as a Police Officer stationed at County Hall, were in place.  In addition, Housing officers were to be involved in the training of Police Community Support Officers.  There was an expectation to try to resolve an issue before any court action and for a range of remedies to be used for lower level persistent issues,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

(a)       That, in liaison with the Chairman, the Housing & Learning Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator arrange a workshop for July 2013 to enable the Committee to populate its Forward Work Programme; and

(b)       That the meeting of the Committee on 10 July 2013 be held at Llys Eleanor in Shotton and include a tour of facilities.

The Housing & Learning Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator introduced a report to enable the Committee to consider the Forward Work Programme.  She explained that dates from September 2013 had been included in the Diary of Meetings to be endorsed at the Annual County Council meeting.  Members agreed to the suggestion for the Facilitator to liaise with the Chairman on a workshop to be held in July 2013 to populate the Forward Work Programme.

The Facilitator put forward a suggestion made by the Cabinet Member for Housing for a future meeting of the Committee to be held at Llys Eleanor in Shotton, including a tour of the extra care facilities.  The Committee agreed that this would be scheduled for the meeting on 10 July 2013.

In response to a query by Councillor R. Dolphin on the availability of results from the review of garage sites, the Head of Housing advised that a report by the Head of Streetscene would include sites within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) which were maintained by Streetscene in the same way as Council land.  Feedback from this would be shared with the Committee at a future meeting.

Following a question from Councillor M.A. Reece on the sale of Council houses, the Head of Housing explained that only a small proportion of the receipts were put into the HRA which was utilised in the Capital Programme.  A report on the HRA subsidy review system was due to be received by the Committee on 10 July 2013.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That, in liaison with the Chairman, the Housing & Learning Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator arrange a workshop for July 2013 to enable the Committee to populate its Forward Work Programme; and

(b)       That the meeting of the Committee on 10 July 2013 be held at Llys Eleanor in Shotton and include a tour of facilities.

There was one member of the press in attendance.

There was one member of the press in attendance.