Agenda and minutes

Venue: New Council Chamber, Town Hall, Foster Avenue, Beeston NG9 1AB

Contact: Email: committees@broxtowe.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

14.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

15.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 117 KB

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2019.

 

Minutes:

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2019 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

 

16.

Annual Report pdf icon PDF 98 KB

To seek approval for the Housing Service Annual Report. This is a regulatory requirement of the Regulator of Social Housing’s Tenant Involvement & Empowerment Standard.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted that the Regulator of Social Housing sets out the regulatory framework for social housing in England. This Framework is a number of standards that registered providers are expected to meet, including local authorities.

 

The report was discussed and it was considered that processes had been put in place which had improved the customer experience. The Council staff were thanked for their efforts.

 

RESOLVED that the Housing Service Annual Report 2018/2019 be approved.

 

17.

Acquisitions Policy pdf icon PDF 104 KB

To seek approval for a new Acquisitions Policy

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The aim of the Policy was to set out the Council’s approach to acquiring property and land. This is to ensure the Council fulfils its objectives set out in the Housing Delivery Plan. The Policy was debated and members stated that new Council owned social housing was needed.

 

RESOLVED that the Acquisitions Policy be approved.

 

 

18.

FIXED TERM TENANCIES pdf icon PDF 8 KB

To seek Committee approval to cease using fixed term tenancies.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council had reviewed its tenancy arrangements in 2017-2018 and an independent legal options review was undertaken.

 

In January 2018 the Housing Committee had resolved a recommendation that included the introduction of introductory tenancies, which for general needs tenancies, became five year fixed term tenancies after the initial 12-month introductory tenancy period. The Committee debated the merits of fixed term tenancies but the government’s change in emphasis noted.

 

A recorded vote was proposed by Councillor S J Carr and seconded by Councillor T Hallam. The voting was as follows:

 

For

Against

Abstention

B C Carr

 

L A Ball BEM

S J Carr

 

J C Goold

T A Cullen

 

E Kerry

T Hallam

 

H G Khaled MBE

H E Skinner

 

J M Owen

C M Tideswell

 

P J Owen

E Williamson

 

 

 

RESOLVED that the statutory process of consultation to end Fixed Term Tenancies be commenced with affected tenants and that Fixed Term Tenancies no longer be offered to new tenants of the Council.

 

 

19.

INCOME MANAGEMENT POLICIES pdf icon PDF 104 KB

To seek approval for a suite of income management policies.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Rent Setting Policy outlined how the Council would calculate rent for the housing stock that it owned and managed within the Housing Revenue Account. The purpose of the Policy was to ensure the rents would be set in accordance with the relevant statutory and regulatory obligations.

 

The policies were discussed. It was confirmed that new tenancies would be more expensive but would be capped at a 10% increase. The change to the rent free period was queried. It was clarified that this was largely administrative and now reflected the system used by most Housing Associations. Informal feedback had shown that the change was popular.

 

RESOLVED that the Rent Setting Policy, Income Collection Policy and Financial Inclusion Policy be approved.

 

20.

Grenfell Response Update pdf icon PDF 202 KB

To update the Committee on actions which have been taken since the last report in September 2018 and highlight work currently in progress.

 

Minutes:

The Committee was updated on actions taken since the last report in September 2018. It was expected that that the Grenfell Inquiry would result in significant suggestions for local authorities but the delay in the publishing of the report was a concern. As a result, the Council was acting in advance of such measures becoming law. Further measures would be brought to Committee in due course. The Committee noted the work already taken.

 

RESOLVED that the Chair of the Housing Committee write to the Secretary of State regarding the need for guidance on Fire door standards.

 

 

21.

Performance Management - Review of Business Plan Progress - Housing pdf icon PDF 368 KB

To report progress against outcome targets identified in the Housing Business Plan, linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives, and to provide an update as to the latest key performance indicators therein.

 

Minutes:

The Committee noted the report on the progress against outcome targets identified in the Housing Business Plan.

 

The issue of no storage for mobility scooters in the dementia friendly bungalows was raised. It was confirmed that this issue was being considered going forward and would hopefully be discussed at a future meeting.

 

22.

HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT - UPDATE TO BUSINESS PLAN FINANCIAL MODEL pdf icon PDF 583 KB

To recommend an updated Housing Revenue Account financial model to Council for approval reflecting the 2019/20 budget and other recent changes and to note the capacity within the financial model for the provision of new housing.

 

Minutes:

In February 2012 the Council approved a 30 year HRA business plan with the financial model being updated and approved by Council each financial year. The Committee noted the capacity within the financial model for the provision of new housing.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council that the financial model for the Housing Revenue Account be approved.

 

 

23.

WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 114 KB

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meeting

Minutes:

The Committee expressed its gratitude to the employees of the Council. The hard work was reflected in the full Work Programme.

 

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

 

 

24.

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

25.

AIDS AND ADAPTATIONS CASE

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the aids and adaptions works be approved.

 

26.

CONTRACT FOR Condition Survey

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the contract be awarded.

 

27.

HOUSING OPTIONS restructure

Minutes:

RECOMMENDED to the Personnel Committee that the new Housing Options Team structure be approved.

 

28.

RENTSENSE SOFTWARE - CONTRACT EXTENSION

Minutes:

RECOMMENDED to the Finance and Resources Committee that contract be extended.