Agenda item

To update the Committee on current and forthcoming issues in this portfolio.

5.1.      The Committee received an update from David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Housing, focusing on current and upcoming issues from the portfolio. The Committee discussed matters including:

5.2.      Leverage Energy Efficiency Measures in Housing, The Committee sought clarification with regards to the cleaner and greener agenda on the outcome if the council were not awarded the £3m match funding grant for fabric first retrofit works.  The Cabinet Member advised the committee that he was fairly certain that the council would receive the funding.  He noted that if the council did not receive the grant that it did have some money for the works, it would also require some borrowing.

5.3.      The Committee queried PDHU and if there were any plans to reduce its use of gas and diesel.  The Cabinet Member advised the committee that there were a number of initiatives happening to ensure that PDHU is carbon neutral and a keen focus on keeping the cost to residents neutral.

5.4.      Anti-Social Behaviour updates, The Committee queried the number of incidents and how the approach was working.  The Cabinet Member advised the committee that it was using different court orders, more mediation and considering the types of tenancies that could be used to support in dealing with ASB matters. 

5.5.      The Committee raised queries regarding flooding and the impact that it has had on the councils housing stock.  The Cabinet Member advised the committee that there were a number of properties that have water ingress issues and that the council is planning a number of major works programmes between now and 2027 to resolve these problems.

5.6.      The Committee sought clarification with regards to the council’s housing CRM, system for reporting minor and major repairs and adaptations. The Cabinet Member advised that from his knowledge that system should be able to differentiate between the two issues and the major/urgent issue should be prioritised and be dealt with swiftly.

5.7.      The Committee queried Temporary Accommodation, seeking clarification in respect to the increase in homelessness applications and the council’s ability to provide accommodation for those people and whether it meant that those people would be given temporary accommodation outside of the borough.  The Cabinet Member advised the Committee that TA forms an orderly que based on how long the person has been waiting and the greatness of their needs.  The Cabinet Members advised that that the council works with other boroughs to find accommodation to ensure people are housed.

5.8.      The Committee queried how the housing repairs satisfaction survey stats were collated as the numbers were impressive, however did not match up with her case work. The Cabinet

5.9.      The Committee discussed Lisson Grove and the closure of Greenside Community Centre.  The Committee sought clarification of the Cabinet Member’s ability to reopen the Centre.  The Committee also queried the completion dates for the major works programme for Hallfield Estate window replacement.  The Cabinet Member advised that there had been a delay due to Covid, however these delays were now under control and the programme was back on track and should be completed by August 2023.

5.10.    The Committee asked the Cabinet Member to comment on housing options for young people.  The Cabinet Member advised that there we some options like shared ownership, however felt that there needed to be a more detailed conversation and welcomed further discussion.