Agenda item

The report and appendices are attached.

7.1       The Chairman introduced the report and advised that the Task Group was unanimous in making the recommendations included in the report. The report was comprehensive and the Chairman thanked officers for the diligence shown. He then invited officers to make any observations and suggestions.

7.2       Sandra Skeete (Interim Managing Director, CityWest Homes) stated that she felt the whole process had been constructive and plans were in place for improvements. There were three broad areas the Task Group report had captured that needed to be addressed. Sandra Skeete advised that potentially some recommendations may lead to increased costs, whilst others may not be popular with all customers. Assessments would be carried out to ensure that the recommendations and steps made for improvement have had the desired effects.

7.3       Barbara Brownlee also felt that the process had proved extremely useful and every effort would made to put residents at the heart of future ways of working. She also emphasised the importance of ensuring staff stability during the changes and to not lose sight of the existing improvement process. Tom  McGregor (Director of Housing and Regeneration) also acknowledged the thorough process that had been undertaken and the need for staff stability, adding that it was important to maintain staff morale.

7.4       Councillor Smith welcomed the report and stated that he had encouraged the Committee to take on this piece of work. He welcomed the invaluable input and insight that Members had provided and acknowledged that the culture issue had been highlighted as a major area needing change.

7.5       During Members’ discussions, a Member commented that there was still plenty of work to do. Consideration needed to be given as to working arrangements when the housing management function was returned to the City Council. The right mechanisms needed to be in place to address the culture issue, whilst also ensuring staff morale did not suffer. The move also offered the opportunity to integrate housing with other services. Another Member emphasised the need for good staff and resident relations and there also needed to be changed in respect of governance and accountability. It was asked what steps were to be taken in respect of changing the culture.

7.6       Members asked whether all CWH staff would be transferred to the City Council, or would they need to re-apply for their positions. It was also asked whether there would be any financial impact with regard to additional pensions coming under the City Council and how would this be modelled. It was suggested that residents could also be included in any future task groups. Further observations were sought as to what recommendations may not be popular with all residents. Members commented that the City Council should take some responsibility for the problems experienced as well as CWH. Proposals to increase engagement with residents was welcomed, however in respect of previous consultations, residents sometimes felt that they had not been provided with all the necessary information.

7.7       In reply to the issues raised by Members, Sandra Skeete stated that every effort needed to be made to reassure staff and it was recognised that some did have concerns. It was also important to retain as many staff as possible. In respect of engagement with residents, steps were being taken to obtain the views of residents who were currently not in residents’ groups.

7.8       Barbara Brownlee stated that changing the culture was a key issue and would not be straightforward. However, co-locating staff on the same site would be helpful and staff would receive City Council training and be immersed it its values. She also advised that pension arrangements were tightly bound by law.

7.9       Councillor Smith commented that having CWH staff back in house would facilitate changing the culture and he confirmed that TUPE arrangements would apply.

7.10    In respect of the task group recommendations, Sandra Skeete suggested that with regard to recommendation 22, it may not be practical to ensure that all repairs were inspected upon completion. The Committee agreed to the Chairman’s suggestion that this be appropriately re-worded so that there be an appreciable increase in the proportion of repairs inspected compared to what was currently undertaken. Barbara Brownlee suggested that it may also not be practical to ensure that all residents’ communications were reviewed by councillors before issue. Members agreed to the Chairman’s suggestion that this be re-worded so that it includes major communications, or meetings involving contractors when councillors were otherwise engaged at City Council meetings, or where there had been major incidents.

7.11    The Chairman stated that there was no intention to place blame on hard working staff and their dedication to their roles was recognised. It was understood that the changes could be unsettling and every effort should be made to address this. The main intention of the task group’s recommendations was to improve the residents’ experiences. The Chairman suggested that the implementation of the task group’s recommendations be reviewed in around 6 months’ time.

7.12    RESOLVED:

            That the recommendations of the CityWest Homes Task Group report be agreed, subject to the comments set out above.