Agenda item

(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 available funding and to bring forward the energy efficiency programme.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin commented on the difference in scale of work in the district areas and asked about timescales on the external work in the programme.  On the completion of bathroom and kitchen work together, she stressed the importance of ensuring that the design was correct to ensure the right fit prior to installation.

The Housing Asset Manager acknowledged that there were some inconsistencies within the district areas, however the aim was to create concentrated areas which would benefit the contractors and management of each contract.  The external works element would prioritise the oldest reported issues first and would be primarily undertaken by the Council’s DLO team.

Councillor George Hardcastle thanked officers for the report and congratulated the Housing team for their work, particular on job creation.  In response to a query on the completion of bathroom and kitchen upgrades together, the Capital Works Manager confirmed that tenants could opt to have the work carried out at separate times if they wished.

RESOLVED:

(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.