Agenda item

The report is attached.

6.1       Fergus Coleman (Head of Affordable Housing) presented the report and advised that 861 survey forms had been received in the respect of the Resident Listening Programme. There had also been a number of listening events for residents to provide feedback. Key issues raised included the Repairs Service, the Contact Centre, security, anti-social behaviour on estates and communications. Fergus Coleman also advised that Group consultations with CityWest Homes staff in respect of the transition back to the Council were taking place. Members heard that current contracts to carry out various services and works had been assessed.

6.2       Tom McGregor added that meetings with CityWest Homes staff had been taking place and the responses overall were positive.

6.3       During discussions, the Chairman asked what the new management structure would be and how would this be communicated. He requested that these details be communicated clearly to Members and officers. The Chairman also emphasised the importance of engaging with residents more frequently than what was currently undertaken.

6.4       Members noted the number of contracts that were in place and queried whether this was an unnecessary surplus. It was noted that 17 contracts were currently rated ‘red’ and views were sought as to how confident officers were that these would be agreed. Another Member queried why some services had been contracted out. He suggested that the Council could engage more widely with residents on housing by using other Council facilities such as libraries and more opportunities should be explored. With regard to ‘listening events’, he felt that efforts should be made to reach out to a wider audience. Members expressed an interest in hearing more about the governance structure for housing and how Policy and Scrutiny Committees would monitor this.

6.5       In reply to the issues raised, Tom McGregor advised that TUPE restrictions meant that he could not elaborate in great detail on the management structure at this stage, however Members would be informed of communications relating to the transition once these were available as per the Committee’s request.

6.6       Fergus Coleman advised that many contracts were not active and had been dormant for some time, whilst others were due to expire soon in any case. He updated Members on the contracts that were still rated as ‘red’ which was now down to nine and he was confident that this issue would be resolved by the end of the financial year. In respect of governance, structures were being tested and there would be a full structure in terms of governance relating to accountability to residents. There would also be improved feedback to Cabinet Members and the Policy and Scrutiny Committees.

6.7       Councillor Smith acknowledged that there was a need for a formal structure in respect of resident engagement and a more representative demographic/tenant/leaseholder mix was sought. In respect of the Resident Listening Programme, he stated that this had been a success and other residents as well as those who often communicated with the Council had attended. Other ways of engaging with residents were also being considered, such as digital services

6.8       The Chairman requested that all relevant communications in respect of the transfer of the housing management function to the Council be circulated to councillors.

6.9       ACTION:

            All relevant communications in respect of the transfer of the housing management function to the Council to be circulated to councillors. (Action for: Tom McGregor and Fergus Coleman.)