Agenda item

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That feedback be provided to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee who are responsible for the overview and monitoring of performance.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced the report for the Committee to note and consider elements of the 2014/15 Improvement Plan Monitoring Report relevant to the Committee for the period April to July 2014.

Councillor Hilary McGuill commented on the differing performance in the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) major adaptations between Council and privately owned properties.  The Chief Officer (Social Services) explained that waiting times had been significantly improved through the Occupational Therapy referral process for assessments and that a reduction in staffing within Housing Regeneration & Strategy had recently been addressed with permission to recruit to a vacant post.

The Housing Regeneration & Strategy Manager gave assurance that the same approach in terms of staffing resources and target timescales was taken for adaptations to both sets of property types.  However, the Council had previously taken the decision not to ask its tenants to submit a full DFG application for adaptations, whereas more major works in private properties were required to do so by the legislation in place. This could have a positive impact on timescales in Council owned stock.  In addition, DFG works at Council properties tended to be less complex, as the Council was pursuing relocation options for those tenants with the most complex needs, rather than adapting their existing dwelling.  The staffing issues had contributed to a dip in performance, however with the additional member of staff in place, figures were expected to show improvement after the next quarter.

In response to a further comment, the Housing Regeneration & Strategy Manager stressed that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was a ringfenced budget and that additional resources were not being transferred to Council housing budgets at the expense of owner occupiers and private tenants.  Therefore with the resolution of the staffing issue, timescales were anticipated to improve.

Concerning a query from Councillor Andy Dunbobbin on the completion of DFG work for young people, it was explained that delays to the process could occur due to the constantly changing needs of a particular client, which occurred most frequently with young children as their future development could be unclear.  The result was that, in some cases, longer delays occurred where there were complex needs or the child was subject to hospital stays.

The Housing Regeneration & Strategy Manager responded to a question from Councillor Marion Bateman on legislation governing Council properties which had been adapted for disabled residents.

Following remarks made by Councillor Stella Jones on the tendering process, the Housing Regeneration & Strategy Manager explained proposed changes to the Procurement Strategy which would involve widening the opportunities for those on the approved contractor list issuing all tender opportunities by public notice, which would add a greater level of competition.  Councillor Jones suggested that tender prices submitted could be audited to ensure value for money.  The Chair asked the Facilitator to pass this suggestion to the Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That feedback be provided to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee who are responsible for the overview and monitoring of performance.