Agenda item

(a) That the Committee support the levels of progress and have confidence in the achievement of priorities as detailed within the Council Plan 2022/23;

(b) That the Committee support overall performance against Council Plan 2022/23 performance indicators/measures; and

(c) That the Committee is assured by explanations given for those areas of underperformance.

The Chief Officer (Housing & Communities) introduced the report to review the levels of progress in the achievement of activities and performance levels identified in the Council Plan.  She advised that the Council Plan 2022/23 was adopted by the Council in July 2022. The report presented a summary of performance of progress against the Council Plan priorities identified for 2022/23 at year end (Q4) position relevant to the Community & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The Chief Officer (Housing & Communities) reported on the activity that showed a red (RAG) status for current performance against target together with information on the performance indicators (PIs)/measures which showed a red (RAG) status for performance against the target set for 2022/23.

Councillor Bernie Attridge asked the following questions:-

• In relation to the number of applicants on the common housing register, could officers confirm if there were 237 new applicants for 2022/23
• Could more information be provided around the customer satisfaction data for the Housing Register of 52%
• Do the housing partners provide the Council with the level of service expected as part of their contract
• In relation to the plans for the de-carbonisation of Council homes, when would Members be consulted on the draft de-carbonisation strategy
• In relation to ensuring that the Council’s housing stock meets the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) and achieved a minimum SAP energy efficiency rating of 65, how was the completed target of 100% achieved, given the number of void properties
• What was being done to address the delays in progressing the new Dynamic Procurement System with Denbighshire CC
• In relation to listening to tenants and working with them to improve our services, homes and communities, which tenants was the Council working with
• Which tenants took part in the digital courses delivered by Coleg Cambria
• In relation to working with housing association partners to build new social housing properties and additional affordable properties, do the Cabinet Members for Housing and Social Services take part in these meetings
• Could further information on the digital solutions for Housing Officers be provided

The Chief Officer (Housing & Communities) said that the number of applicants on the common housing register was not static but advised that there had been a small increase in the number for 2022/23.  In relation to the customer satisfaction survey, she would ask the Service Manager (Housing & Prevention Services) to provide information on the 52% response to the Committee following the meeting.  She confirmed that the Council’s housing partners were committed to meeting their requirement, the only issues were around the correlation of stock to match individual cases.  She also confirmed that the Cabinet Member for Housing & Regeneration was involved in meetings with housing partners at a regional and national level. 

The Service Manager – Housing & Assets advised that a draft de-carbonisation strategy had been developed but the Council was awaiting the release of the WHQS 2 standards from Welsh Government (WG) which would inform the strategy.  It was proposed that a workshop for Members would be arranged to outline the draft de-carbonisation strategy when appropriate.  He also explained that the Council continued to target properties that did not meet the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) 65 rating through various improvement works.  The percentage completed was shown as 100% in the report as a small number of properties which did not meet the standards were classed as acceptable fails.   

The Senior Manager (Housing, Welfare & Communities) explained that whilst work continued on the Dynamic Procurement System framework with Denbighshire CC, she reassured the Committee that this had not stopped any of the work on adaptations continuing.  She referred to the previous Policy reports presented during the meeting and the engagement carried out with tenants in line with proposed Policy changes.  A number of additional engagement session had been held with tenants in order to increase engagement and assured the Committee that engagement had moved on considerably since April 2023.   She outlined that as part of the Croeso Cynnes project which ran from November 2022 to March 2023 residents enjoyed attending the digital courses delivered by Coleg Cambria.  Equipment had also been purchased to provide Wi-Fi access for up to 16 devices in community areas.  She also advised that through Total Mobile, this would ensure Housing Officers were better equipped to support tenants by having a greater presence in the ward.  This would also assist them in identifying support needs at an earlier stage and referring tenants to support agencies where appropriate.  

The recommendations, as outlined within the report, were moved by Councillor Dennis Hutchinson and seconded by Councillor Kevin Rush.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee support the levels of progress and have confidence in the achievement of priorities as detailed within the Council Plan 2022/23;

(b)       That the Committee support overall performance against Council Plan 2022/23 performance indicators/measures: and

(c)       That the Committee is assured by explanations given for those areas of underperformance.