Agenda item

That the report be noted.

The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) 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 October to December 2014.

A short presentation was given on performance within each of the sub-priority areas, highlighting work which had been undertaken to improve performance and areas where improvement was needed, as outlined within each report.

Extra Care Housing

Members were advised that the planning application for the new extra care scheme in Flint was due to be considered by the Planning & Development Control Committee the following day.

Councillor Peter Curtis welcomed plans for a further extra care scheme in Holywell, subject to agreement on a site.  The Deputy Leader said that if agreement could not be reached on a site within Holywell then an alternative would be sought elsewhere.

Modern, Efficient and Adapted Homes

Proposals for extending growth of the Council’s housing company would be discussed by the NEW Homes Board in April 2015, prior to an update to be brought to the Committee in June 2015.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin praised Wales & Wales Housing for providing flats for the over 50 age group.  The Chief Officer confirmed that a range of property types for different groups of individuals would be considered as part of the new build programme.

In response to a query from Councillor Amanda Bragg on the target to prevent homelessness for 90% of all potentially homeless households, the Chief Officer explained that the quarterly outturn had narrowly missed this target.  The target set by Welsh Government aimed for councils to work towards preventing homelessness situations for at least six months, however there were some situations where individuals returned within that period which required more extensive support.

When asked about the lease agreement for the over 55s lease option scheme, the Chief Officer referred to the challenges in meeting specific requirements on the type and location of properties required by those individuals and the need to balance their needs with others on the waiting list.  More detail would be given in the next update report to the Committee.

Achieve the Wales Housing Quality Standard (WHQS)

The Housing Asset Manager gave an update on more detailed survey work being undertaken and the completion of contractor interviews, with Tenant Federation representatives included on the panel.  He referred to the outturns within the report, as at December 2014, adding that work was on schedule to achieve the promises within the Choices Document.

Welfare Reform

A previous report had been received by the Committee on the pilot of enhanced homelessness prevention to enable the Council to be better prepared for the new statutory duty due to come into force at the end of April 2015.  The support given by the Welfare Reform team to vulnerable individuals during the first nine months of the pilot had generated additional ongoing annual welfare benefit payments of £1.8m.

An update was given on the future rollout of acceptance of Universal Credit claims across Flintshire.  This was identified as a risk to the Council as the initial rollout had focussed only on single applicants whereas the programme would change to include other groups.

Councillors Paul Cunningham and Amanda Bragg asked that Members’ thanks be passed to the Welfare Rights team for their excellent work.

Fuel Poverty

The Housing Regeneration & Strategy Manager reported on the completion of solid wall insulation work on Council properties in the Housing Renewal Area and highlighted concerns around the future of Eco funding.  On the delivery of energy efficiency measures to Council properties in gas infill areas, it was noted that the scheme was to be extended to Treuddyn and Rhydymwyn in line with the results of a positive viability exercise.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.