Agenda and minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2020 were approved as a correct record.  

To consider proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021/22; capital programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24; and proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

Members considered the proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021/22, capital programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24 and proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 in respect of the Council’s priority areas within Housing service area.

RESOLVED that the Housing Business Plan be approved and RECOMMENDED that the Finance and Resources Committee recommends to Council that the following be approved:

a)        The detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021/22 (base) including any revenue development submissions.

b)        The capital programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24

c)        The fees and charges for 2021/22

To seek approval of a proposed policy for the use of civil penalties for specified offences under the Housing Act 2004.

Members considered the Policy for the use of civil penalties for specified offences under the Housing Act 2004. The Civil Penalties Policy is designed to enable local housing authorities to impose a financial penalty as an alternative to prosecution for specified offences contained within the Housing Act 2004. In the majority of cases, the Council has no need to take formal action in relation to housing conditions as most matters are resolved informally however the proposed introduction of the use of civil penalties would allow a greater range of enforcement tools that could be considered and applied to the worst offenders when informal and formal actions have failed to achieve compliance.

RESOLVED that the Private Sector Housing Civil Penalties Policy be approved.

To seek Committee approval for the proposed amendments to the Housing Acquisitions Policy.

The Committee was updated with the proposed changes to the Housing Acquisitions Policy and the Council’s approach to acquiring property and land. The policy will ensure that the Council fulfils its objectives set out in the Housing Delivery Plan to increase Council owned Social Housing within Broxtowe.   A query was raised with the incurred fees by estate agents within the policy and this was confirmed as an error and would be amended.

RESOLVED that the proposed changes to the Council’s Housing Acquisitions Policy be approved.

To seek Committee approval for a new policy that provides guidance of how the Council will manage temporary accommodation provided to residents, specifically those who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness.

The Committee discussed the outlined proposals of the new policy and how the Council will manage temporary accommodation provided to residents, specifically those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The policy also outlined the different accommodation that is provided and how it will be managed and maintained.

RESOLVED that the Temporary Accommodation Policy be approved.

·         Lifeline Service Update

·         Housemark Annual Report

·         Housing Delivery Plan Update

The Committee NOTED the following reports.

·         Lifeline Service Update

·         Housemark Annual report

·         Housing Delivery Plan Update

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

The Committee considered the Work Programme.

 RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

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.

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 involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that following the section 105 consultation exercise the reduction in garden sizes to the rear of 17a/b/c/d and 15 a/b Great Hogget Drive, Chilwell by up to 11 metres be approved.

RESOLVED that the Council proceed with the purchase of the 35 rented homes and pursues the 18 shared ownership homes subject to approval by the Finance and Resources Committee and a delegation be made to the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer following consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Finance and Resources and Chair and Vice Chair of  the Housing Committee, for all key approvals relating to the purchase prices, acquisition, financing and construction of the homes, be approved.

RESOLVED that:

a)    Consultation is completed for schemes listed in appendix 1, as contained within the report, be approved.

b)   An external options appraisal is completed for schemes listed in appendix 2, as contained within the report, be approved.