Agenda item

(a)       That the report be noted;

(b)       That the comments/observations of the Committee are fed back to the

            Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee who are

            responsible for the overview and monitoring of performance.

The Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) introduced a report on the 2014/15 Improvement Plan Monitoring Report relevant to the Committee.  The report covered the period July – September 2014. 

The Chief Officer advised that the following Improvement Plan sub-priority reports were attached to the report for the Committee’s consideration:

·         Extra Care Housing

·         Modern, Efficient and Adapted Homes

·         Achieve the Wales Housing Quality Standard (WQHS)

·         Welfare Reform

·         Fuel Poverty

The Chief Officer reported on progress and risks concerning the Extra Care Housing, Modern, Efficient and Adapted Homes, and Welfare Reform.   She invited the Senior Manager Council Housing Services, and Housing Regeneration and Strategy Manager, to report on the sub priorities to achieve the WQHS, and Fuel Poverty.  

The Chairman invited members to raise questions.

Councillor Paul Shotton referred to the ‘van stock’ trial and asked if it was working well.  He also commented on the introduction of Universal Credit forms which had to be completed online and asked if staff at the Connects Centres would be able to assist individuals with this task.  The Senior Manager Council Housing Services advised that the phased roll out of van stock by trade type would be completed by the end of January.  The impact of this had been monitored and early indications were showing reduced visits to the trade store at Greenfield.  The Chief Officer gave an assurance that training would be provided at the Connects Centres to enable staff to assist claimants complete forms online.

Councillor Hilary Isherwood asked how the Authority was supporting tenants who found themselves in debt as a result of mental health issues.  The Acting Community Support Services Manager advised that the Supporting People Team were providing assistance to tenants with low level  mental health problems as part of a pilot scheme which was being launched by HAFAL for two years which would assist people to move on from accessing statutory services.   

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin raised concerns over the proposed location of the Extra Care facility in Holywell and asked whether alternative sites could be considered.  She also asked whether the Extra Care facility would provide support for specialist dementia care. Referring to the sub priority to achieve the WQHS, she commented on the need for inspections to be carried out after contractors had completed property renovations.  She also asked how many tenants had agreed to the full ‘whole house approach’.  The Chief Officer advised that a full evaluation of all the potential sites was undertaken and if local Members had any objections they could feed these to the Council as appropriate.  She gave an assurance that specialist support for dementia patients would be provided at the Extra Care facility in Holywell.  The Senior Manager Council Housing Services explained that as part of the new WQHS delivery programme a Project Manager, Tenant Liaison Officer, and Clerk of Works, would be appointed.  The role of the Clerk of Works would be specifically to monitor and inspect the work of the contractors.  He agreed to provide information to Councillor Dolphin on the number of tenants who were in support of the ‘whole house approach’ following the meeting.

Councillor Ian Dunbar referred to the issue of rent arrears and asked what actions were being taken to reduce the level of rent arrears.  The Acting Community Support Services Manager outlined the action taken to support tenants to remain in their homes and the work undertaken with them to develop a payment plan which would assist them to reduce the debt. 

Councillor Nancy Matthews sought clarification on the legislation on the Right to Buy scheme.  The Chief Officer explained that tenants could currently purchase their property under the Right to Buy scheme if they had lived in the property for more than 5 years.  As part of the new council house development programme the Council was looking to request that the Welsh Government suspended the Right to Buy scheme for any new council houses built in Flintshire for initially 5 years with a view to seeking a further suspension at the end of the 5 years.  This suspension would not effect current housing tenants.

Councillor George Hardcastle welcomed the increase in the number of council houses that were to be built and asked whether there was likely to be a further increase in the future.  The Chief Officer explained that £15m of funding had been allocated to build 150 new homes with a view to the remaining 50 homes being funded from further efficiencies in the Housing Service. 

Councillor Hilary Isherwood expressed the view that local Members should have an input into the council house allocation process due to their knowledge of the local community.  The Chief Officer explained that it was helpful for Members to be proactive in contacting the Housing Officer when they became aware of a vacant property if sensitive issues needed to be considered, however, Members could not be consulted regarding council house allocation.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin requested that an update report be provided to the Committee on the proposed suspension of the Right to Buy scheme for new council houses.  The Committee agreed that this would be added to the Forward Work Programme.   

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be noted;

(b)       That the comments/observations of the Committee are fed back to the

            Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee who are

            responsible for the overview and monitoring of performance.