Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Hopkins, H M Morris and G J Tanner.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Communities Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 2 June, 2015.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Communities Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 2 June, 2015, be approved as correct records.

Improving and Making the Best Use of Housing Stock: Managing and Improving Council Housing; Letting and Managing Council Housing; Anti Social Behaviour; Private Sector and Energy Efficiency.

The Strategic Planning and Enabling Manager assisted by the Landlord Manager, Operations Manager and Service Manager provided a presentation regarding the Local Housing Strategy.  The purpose of the presentation was to review Chapter 5 of the strategy which encompassed:-

 

·             Improving and Making the Best Use of Housing Stock;

·             Managing and Improving Council Housing;

·             Letting and Managing Council Housing;

·             Anti Social Behaviour; and

·             Private Sector and Energy Efficiency.

 

Details within the presentation included:-

 

·       Improving Council Housing;

·       Letting and Managing of Council Houses;

·       Anti-Social Behaviour;

·       Private Sector Housing; and

·       Energy Efficiency.

 

In response to Member questions, Officers stated that:

 

·       It was the intention to achieve the WQHS by 2020 in the vast majority of housing stock;

·       A cost benefit options appraisal analysis was being undertaken in relation to other options;

·       The budget figure of £332 comprised capital and revenue expenditure  (capital had decreased over the years whilst revenue had increased);

·       The use of community groups was an option that could be investigated further;

·       Comparison work had been undertaken with Authorities across the board in order to compare the WQHS with other Schemes;

·       Inspections of Council properties are regularly undertaken and if issues are identified Officers work with support agencies in order to resolve the problem;

·       Officers had been proactive in supporting tenants who are affected by Welfare Reform;

·       The Family Intervention Programme (FIP) had been successful and had achieved two awards in relation to partnership working for anti social behaviour;

·       Integrating systems with Registered landlords would not be beneficial to the Council at the present time;

·       Issues relating to Anti Social Behaviour are generally dealt with by way of a warning letter.  However, more serious incidents are escalated,  Officers examine prospective tenants housing history, prior to offering a tenancy. 

·       The Anti Social Behaviour Co-ordinator is based in Neath Port Talbot, however, the Neighbourhood Support Unit available 24 hours a day;

·       The role of PCSO’s differs dependent on the location within in the City and details of the reporting systems used were outlined;

·       In relation to absent landlords, frequent enforcement checks are undertaken.  A consultation process is ongoing involving Local Authorities.  Although not legally enforceable it will be part of Licence regime and is due to commence in the Autumn;

·       The manner in which RSL’s report voids is not comparable to the Council’s system;

·       Timescales for DFG’s were an ongoing problem;

·       Awareness raising had been undertaken with new tenants in relation to energy efficiency, however further work was required;

·       Officers detailed the ongoing work in relation to SAP Ratings;

·       The Max Your Money (MYM) Project had been overtaken by other Schemes and the value in including this past project in the strategy was questioned;

 

The Chair thanked Officers for their informative presentation. 

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)      the contents of the presentation be noted;

 

(2)      Chapter 5 of the Local Housing Strategy be approved subject to the removal of reference to the ‘Max Your Money’ (MYM) Project;

 

(3)      The Chair write to the Cabinet Member for Services and Adults and Vulnerable People regarding the negative knock on effect of delays with DFG’s.

The Chair presented the updated Communities Cabinet Advisory Committee Work Programme 2015-2016. 

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)                the contents of the report be noted;

(2)                the Democratic Services Officer contact the Senior Welfare Rights Officer requesting that an update on the Universal Credit Briefings be scheduled for the September 2015 meeting and;

(3)                The Democratic Services Officer contact the Principle Revenues Officer requesting that an update on the changes to Council Tax in respect of Empty Properties be provided for the September, 2015 meeting.